Battling the Life and Death Forces of Sadomasochism: Clinical Perspectives (CIPS (Confederation of Independent Psychoanalytic Societies) Boundaries of Psychoanalysis)

This book examines the forces of sadomasochism in the clinical domain where transference and countertransference reside. Psychoanalysts write in depth about cases where sadomasochism is present for both analysand and analyst. Four cases present the unfolding analytic exchange where life and death forces collide. Each case is accompanied by three discussions illuminating the complex phenomena that often include lifelong perversions and painful narcissistic difficulties. Through the case presentations and discussions, psychoanalytic therapists will find maps for guiding their own work with sadomasochistic processes. Treatments where sadomasochism is prominent abound with dramas containing control and denigration, domination, and submission. Often there is a history of over stimulation and under stimulation from infancy and childhood influencing the formation of object relations and unconscious fantasy. Since Freud first introduced the concepts of component instincts and psychosexual development, psychoanalysts have been exploring sadomasochism in its various forms. The belief that togetherness involves tormenting pain creates a sense of life and death struggle that is imbued with powerful instinctual gratification. Unconscious sexualized scenes of both dyadic and triadic forms carry humiliation and conquest. These analysands employ a variety of defenses, especially disavowal. The analyst's affective responses to the negation and attacks provide an opportunity to recognize conflicts and repetitions, and to move them into a symbolizing process. Contributions to the book come from a variety of psychoanalytic perspectives. Understanding of these sadomasochistic phenomena highlight psychoanalytic thinking about conflict, instinctual life, object relations, trauma, narcissistic vulnerability, primitive states, and perversion. Introduction To Sadomasochism In The Clinical Realm / Harriet I. Basseches, Paula L. Ellman And Nancy R. Goodman -- Intersecting Forces And Development Of Sadomasochism / Paula L. Ellman And Nancy R. Goodman -- Sadomasochism In Work And Play With Diane / Paula L. Ellman -- Discussion Of The Case Of Diane / Alan Bass -- Discussion Of The Case Of Diane / Jack Novick And Kerry Kelly Novick -- Diane Vs. Reality: Unconscious Fantasies At Impasse? Discussion Of The Case Of Diane / Marianne Robinson -- Sailing With Mr. B Through Waters Of Hurting Love / Nancy R. Goodman -- Discussion Of The Case Of Mr. B / James S. Grotstein -- Discussion Of The Case Of Mr. B / Margaret Ann Hanly -- Discussion Of The Case Of Mr. B / Terrence Mcbride -- Eating For Emptiness, Eating To Kill: Sadomasochism In A Woman With Bulimia / Andrea Greenman -- Discussion Of The Case Of Mariah / Steven Ellman -- Discussion Of The Case Of Mariah / Shelley Rockwell -- Trauma, Archaic Superego, And Sadomasochism: Discussion Of The Case Of Mariah / Léon Wurmser -- The Primitive Superego Of Mr. A: Sadistic Revenge Fantasies, Arousal And Then Masochistic Remorse / Richard Reichbart -- Discussion Of The Case Of Mr. A / Sheldon Bach -- Discussion Of The Case Of Mr. A / Harriet I. Basseches -- Sadomasochism And Aggression-clinical Theory: Discussion Of The Case Of Mr. A / Leo Rangell. Edited By Harriet I. Basseches, Paula L. Ellman, And Nancy R. Goodman. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.