Download Author: Volkan, Vamık D. M.D.

15 eBooks available.

The Treatment of Established Pathological Mourners

After the death of someone greatly valued, the grief-stricken relative or friend goes through consecutive phases of mourning. When the process develops complications, clinical research shows that fixation usually occurs at one specific phase—that in which the mourner is in a limbo of uncertainty about the death and yearns to bring the dead to life. The situation is complex inasmuch as along with the longing to restore the dead is a dread of ever seeing him again. These conflicting emotions result in the picture of established pathological grief with its characteristic underlying psychodynamic processes. Once diagnosed, this condition may be successfully treated by a method of brief psychotherapy called re-grief work. (34 pp.)

The Development of Transference Neurosis

Case Study Step Five:
PEACOCK STORIES
A MAGICAL TOY
THE FATHER OF TODAY
MANIFESTATIONS OF EROTIC TRANSFERENCE
ATTEMPTS TO RESOLVE INTRAPSYCHIC CONFLICTS IN CONCRETE FASHION
THE VERMIN STORY AGAIN
OEDIPAL TRANSFERENCE
FURTHER TAMING OF AGGRESSION
WISHING TO HAVE CHILDREN
THE HIPPOPOTAMUS
TAKING STOCK
(22 pp.)

The Third Split Transference and Termination

Case Study Step Six:
REACTIONS TO THE TERMINATION DATE
MOURNING AND INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CHANGES
THE APPEARANCE OF AN OLD SYMPTOM
REVIEWING PARENTAL INTROJECTS
WISH FOR NEW IDENTITY
FIRST REFERENCE TO A MAGICAL PILLOW
SHARING A BED WITH FATHER
FREEDOM FROM NEUROSIS
SECRETS IN THE MAGICAL PILLOW
REVIEWING OLD IMAGES
THE ANALYST AS A NEW OBJECT
GIVING UP THE PENIS
REVIEWING THE PATHOGENIC TRAUMA
REVIEWING THE EXTERNAL REALITY
REVIEWING THE PATHOGENIC FANTASY
LAST MOURNING AND CELEBRATION
(26 pp.)

Two Styles of Treatment

The first treatment style supports keeping the patient at a level at which he can function without further regression, while at the same time providing new ego experiences in the therapeutic setting calculated to help him integrate his opposing self-representations and corresponding object representations.

The second view holds that patients need to experience further—now controlled—regression, and hence that the therapist should not interfere with his regressing to a level lower than the chaotic one already exhibited. Accordingly, after regressing so low in a therapeutic setting, the patient will progress through healthier developmental avenues toward psychic growth, much as a child does when in a suitable environment.

(19 pp.)

Six Steps in Treatment

This chapter will examine the six steps in sequence, although it must be remembered that either internal or external events may cause the temporary reappearance of one already completed (or aspects of it). Sequential consideration makes for an overall picture of the total treatment process and illustrates the ways in which characteristics of each step often dovetail with those of another. (21 pp.)

The First Split Transference

Case Study Step Two:
HOW TO NOT MANAGE THE PATIENT’S LIFE
LINKING INTERPRETATIONS
A TEMPORARY RETURN TO STEP ONE
THE INABILITY TO INTEGRATE THE PAST WITH THE PRESENT
LIMIT SETTING
TAMING AGGRESSION
A CRUCIAL JUNCTURE
(13 pp.)