Psychosis (Madness) (The Psychoanalytic Ideas Series) - Softcover

Williams, Paul

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0953710505 ISBN 13: 9780953710508

Publisher: Routledge, 1999

Synopsis

In this volume a number of British psychoanalysts introduce us to psychoanlaytic definitions of intra-psychic and subjective meaning in patients suffering psychotic conditions. Irrespective of the particular type of psychotic illness under consideration of the context or treatment, each paper illustrates how the psychoanalytic clinician searches to establish meaning from events which are highly complex and often overwhelmingly confusing. Contributors: "Psychosis and violence" Leslie Sohn; "Sorrow, Vulnerability and Madness", Michael Conran; "How Can You Keep Your Hair On?", Michael Sinason; "The Delusions of the Non-Remitting Schizophrenias - Parallels with Childhood Phantasies", Thomas Freeman; "Managing Psychotic Patients in a Day Hospital Setting", Richard Lucas; "Desctructive Narcissism" and "The Singing Detective", David Bell.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

Psychosis (Madness) deals with a psychoanalytic understanding of psychosis. Its contributors, who are all both psychoanalysts and psychiatrists, address themselves to the task of finding the meaning behind psychotic communication and behaviour, even the most confusing or bizarre, and of helping the patient to understand his or her internal reality as the first step towards dealing more adequately with the demands of external reality. The papers describe, in often very moving ways, the crucial role of relationship in developing and strengthening this much-needed insight. Psychoanalytic intervention is seen not as a substitute for but as a complement to other treatment modalities, including periods of in-patient care. In their different ways authors offer eloquent and persuasive narratives of how psychoanalytic treatment can offer patients the opportunity to identify, work through and integrate the personal meaning behind their psychotic thinking, with profound and lasting benefit. Papers have been selected to demonstrate how contemporary British psychoanalysts have developed their understanding of and approach to the treatment of psychosis, each contributor having long experience of treating such patients, either within the British NHS or privately, or both. The collection is also aimed at encouraging further reading and exploration. Reference lists for each paper have been prepared with this in mind, and the reference introduction, which sets the treatment of psychosis in context, include material on the important 'need-adapted' approach now being developed in Scandinavia.

Synopsis:

The first title in a series of limited-edition, low-cost books, devised and launched by The Institute of Psycho-Analysis in London, The books feature recent lectures on important psychoanalytic themes as part of the London Public Lecture series, organized by the British Psycho-Analytic Society. These collections have been chosen and edited by British psychoanalysts, members of the British Psycho-Analytical Society and experts in the areas of psychoanalytic work concerned. This collection consists of six articles by Leslie Sohn, Michael Conran, Michael Sinason, Thomas Freeman, Richard Lucas, and David Bell. The articles cover various mental disorders known collectively as psychoses and deal with subjects of violence and madness; vulnerability, "humane care" and the management of psychotic patients in a hospital setting; rage and the "mad self"; schizophrenia; and destructive narcissism.

About this edition

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0953710505
• ISBN 13: 9780953710508
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 100