Narcissistic neurosis is a term introduced by Sigmund Freud to distinguish the class of neuroses characterised by their lack of object relations and their fixation upon the early stage of libidinal narcissism.[1] The term is less current in contemporary psychoanalysis,[2] but still a focus for analytic controversy.[3]
Freud considered such neurosis as impervious to psychoanalytic treatment, as opposed to the transference neurosis where an emotional connection to the analyst was by contrast possible.[4]
Freud originally applied the term "narcissistic neurosis" to a range of disorders, including perversion, depression, and psychosis.[5] In the 1920s, however, he came to single out "illnesses which are based on a conflict between the ego and the super-ego... we would set aside the name of 'narcissistic psycho-neuroses' for disorders of that kind"[6]—melancholia being the outstanding example.
About the same time, in the wake of the work of Karl Abraham, he began to modify to a degree his view on the inaccessibility of narcissistic neurosis to analytic treatment.[7] However his late lectures from the thirties confirmed his opinion of the unsuitability of narcissistic and psychotic conditions for treatment "to a greater or less extent";[8] as did his posthumous 'Outline of Psychoanalysis'.[9]
Later developmentsedit
From the twenties onwards, Freud's views of the inaccessibility of the narcissistic neuroses to analytic influence had been challenged, first by Melanie Klein,[10] and then by object relations theorists more broadly.[11]
While classical analysts like Robert Waelder would maintain Freud's delimiting standpoint into the sixties, eventually even within ego psychology challenges to the 'off-limits' view of what were increasingly seen as borderline disorders emerged.[12]
Relational psychoanalysis, like Heinz Kohut, would also take a more positive approach to narcissistic neurosis, emphasising the need for a partial or initial participation in the narcissistic illusions.[13]
In retrospect, Freud's caution may be seen as a result of his unwillingness to work with the negative transference, unlike the post-Kleinians.[14]
Karl Abraham, Selected Papers on Psycho-Analysis (New York 1979)
External linksedit
Narcissistic neurosis
December 07, 2023
narcissistic, neurosis, term, introduced, sigmund, freud, distinguish, class, neuroses, characterised, their, lack, object, relations, their, fixation, upon, early, stage, libidinal, narcissism, term, less, current, contemporary, psychoanalysis, still, focus, . Narcissistic neurosis is a term introduced by Sigmund Freud to distinguish the class of neuroses characterised by their lack of object relations and their fixation upon the early stage of libidinal narcissism 1 The term is less current in contemporary psychoanalysis 2 but still a focus for analytic controversy 3 Freud considered such neurosis as impervious to psychoanalytic treatment as opposed to the transference neurosis where an emotional connection to the analyst was by contrast possible 4 Contents 1 Freud s changing ideas 2 Later developments 3 See also 4 References 5 Further reading 6 External linksFreud s changing ideas editFreud originally applied the term narcissistic neurosis to a range of disorders including perversion depression and psychosis 5 In the 1920s however he came to single out illnesses which are based on a conflict between the ego and the super ego we would set aside the name of narcissistic psycho neuroses for disorders of that kind 6 melancholia being the outstanding example About the same time in the wake of the work of Karl Abraham he began to modify to a degree his view on the inaccessibility of narcissistic neurosis to analytic treatment 7 However his late lectures from the thirties confirmed his opinion of the unsuitability of narcissistic and psychotic conditions for treatment to a greater or less extent 8 as did his posthumous Outline of Psychoanalysis 9 Later developments editFrom the twenties onwards Freud s views of the inaccessibility of the narcissistic neuroses to analytic influence had been challenged first by Melanie Klein 10 and then by object relations theorists more broadly 11 While classical analysts like Robert Waelder would maintain Freud s delimiting standpoint into the sixties eventually even within ego psychology challenges to the off limits view of what were increasingly seen as borderline disorders emerged 12 Relational psychoanalysis like Heinz Kohut would also take a more positive approach to narcissistic neurosis emphasising the need for a partial or initial participation in the narcissistic illusions 13 In retrospect Freud s caution may be seen as a result of his unwillingness to work with the negative transference unlike the post Kleinians 14 See also editCharles Brenner Paul Federn TransferenceReferences edit Sigmund Freud Introductory Lectures on Psychoanalysis PFL 1 p 471 2 J Laplanche J B Pontalis The Language of Psychoanalysis 2012 p 258 J M Quinodoz Reading Freud 2005 p 132 4 Introductory Lectures p 473 and p 499 Quinodoz p 70 Sigmund Freud On Psychopathology PFL 10 p 216 Sigmund Freud On Sexuality PFL 7 p 139 Sigmund Freud New Introductory Lectures on Psychoanalysis PFL 2 p 190 Otto Fenichel The Psychoanalytic Theory of Neurosis 1946 p 447 Quinodoz p 132 Neville Symington Narcissism A New Theory 1993 p xi ii Janet Malcolm Psychoanalysis The Impossible Profession 1988 p 129 32 G Mascialino A Critical Appraisal of Relational Approaches to Psychoanalysis 2008 p 56 8 Quinodoz p 129Further reading editKarl Abraham Selected Papers on Psycho Analysis New York 1979 External links editNarcissistic neurosis Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Narcissistic neurosis amp oldid 1041811163, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
