The myth of death in the psychoanalytic process of healing

Journal/Book: Z Psychosom Med Psychoanal. 1997; 43: Theaterstrasse 13, Postfach 77, W-37070 Gottingen, Germany. Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht. 297-313.

Abstract: Following a definition of the issue, theoretically as well as casuistically the paper describes the involvement of the myth of death within the healing process in individual psychoanalytic therapy. On the patient's side, four levels of death and dying are taken into account: The dream level, the level of transference, the psychogenetic level (level of the dying imagines of the patient's early objects) and the level of real death. On the side of the therapist, the myth of death involves, among other topics which are discussed as well, the necessity to abandon unrealistic aspects of therapeutic goals. These goals often have to be changed within the course of therapy, due to the necessity of correction of rest-neurotic errors of the therapist at the beginning of therapy. Other aspects of the myth of death on the therapist's side include the confrontation with his/her own aspects of threat, disease and jeopardy within and beyond the therapy, which should be dealt with in a way, so that the patient can integrate and cope with these topics instead of having to avoid or taboo them.

Note: Article Hinrichs R, Lietzensee Ufer 2A, D-14057 Berlin, GERMANY

Keyword(s): healing; death; individual psychoanalytic therapy

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