Psychoanalysis on the Verge of Language: Clinical Cases on the Edge

This book explores the importance of language and writing in psychoanalytic theory and practice, offering insights into how language works and can give a deeper insight into the psyche. It discusses how music includes tonal regions that deploy existing rules and syntax, the malignant ambiguity of revealing and concealing in incestuous situations, gender crossing in Virginia Woolfs character Orlando, obsessive-compulsive phenomenon as an interaction between metaphoric and metonymic dimensions, screen confessions typical of the perpetrators language, and the limits of psychoanalytic writing.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 110 pages
Publication date: 10 September 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book delves into the profound significance of language and writing in psychoanalytic theory and practice, offering a comprehensive understanding of how language functions can provide a deeper insight into the psyche, both in clinical settings and in everyday life. By bringing together psychoanalytic insights that revolve around the language of challenging cases, this collection also includes contributions dedicated to a meta-study of psychoanalytic writing. In the first chapter, the author explores how music incorporates tonal regions that adhere to existing rules and syntax, alongside atonal ones characterized by caesuras, pauses, and tensions. The second chapter delves into the malignant ambiguity prevalent in incestuous situations, highlighting how the ambiguous language of incest deceives through the truth. The third chapter introduces Virginia Woolf's character Orlando to illustrate two distinct types of gender crossing. Distinctions defined by the linguist Roman Jakobson are employed in the fourth chapter to provide an integrative description of obsessive-compulsive phenomena as an interplay between metaphoric, metonymic, and psychotic dimensions. The fifth chapter focuses on what is known as the screen confessions typical of the perpetrator's language. Here, George Orwell's newspeak is employed to decipher the specific mechanisms by which the perpetrator blinds their inner witness. The final chapter utilizes Roland Barthes's concepts of studium and punctum to discuss the boundaries of psychoanalytic writing. Taken together, this book establishes the psychoanalytic importance of language within a broader framework of how language shapes and contributes to both the internal and external realms.

Drawing upon insights from psychoanalytic theory and practice, as well as from linguistics and cultural studies, this book explores the intricate relationship between language, psyche, and society. It examines how language shapes our perceptions, emotions, and behaviors, and how it can be used bothrapeutically and diagnostically in psychoanalysis. The author discusses various psychoanalytic approaches, including Freudian, Jungian, and post-Jungian, and highlights the importance of transference and countertransference in the therapeutic process. Additionally, the book explores the role of language in cultural and social contexts, examining how it contributes to the construction of identity, power, and social norms. The author also discusses the ethical considerations involved in psychoanalytic practice, including confidentiality, boundaries, and the potential for harm. Overall, this book provides a comprehensive and interdisciplinary perspective on the role of language in psychoanalysis and its broader implications for understanding human behavior and the human condition.

This book explores the multifaceted role of language in psychoanalytic theory and practice, shedding light on its significance in shaping the psyche, facilitating communication, and contributing to the broader understanding of human behavior. The author begins by examining the linguistic origins of psychoanalysis, tracing the development of Freud's theories and the contributions of other influential psychoanalysts. The book then delves into the therapeutic implications of language, discussing how it can be used to uncover hidden meanings, facilitate the resolution of conflicts, and promote self-awareness. The author also explores the role of language in the construction of identity, examining how it shapes our sense of self and how we communicate our values and beliefs to others. Additionally, the book discusses the relationship between language and culture, highlighting how cultural differences can impact the way we communicate and interpret messages. The author concludes by discussing the limitations and challenges of psychoanalytic writing, including the ethical considerations and the potential for misinterpretation. Overall, this book provides a comprehensive and insightful examination of the role of language in psychoanalysis and its broader implications for understanding human behavior and the human condition.

Weight: 218g
Dimension: 155 x 235 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032023700