Psychoanalytic Perspectives On Intense Involvement in Sports

This book explores the role of sports in psychoanalysis, highlighting their importance for individuals and their potential to be brought into the consulting room. It suggests that intense involvement in sports prioritizes commitment and active engagement over passivity and provides an emotionally tinged distraction from life's misfortunes. Engaging in sports or rooting for teams offers a sense of community and identification with like-minded others. This book offers a better psychoanalytic understanding of sports to help us discover more about ourselves, our patients, and our culture.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 194 pages
Publication date: 27 October 2020
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This groundbreaking book delves into the multifaceted world of sport, exploring a diverse range of psychoanalytic perspectives. It emphasizes the profound impact that sports have on individuals, showcasing how their function and utilization can be effectively integrated into the consulting room.

A universal passion for actively engaging in sports is evident, and it is remarkable that this aspect of human life has received limited attention in the realm of psychoanalysis until now. This edited volume is a testament to the dedication of psychoanalysts who are actively involved in sports themselves. It suggests that intense involvement in sports prioritizes commitment and active engagement over passivity, offering an emotionally charged distraction from the various challenges life presents. Indeed, the fluctuations in mood associated with athletic victories or defeats often overshadow more personal and urgent matters for a time. Engaging in sports or supporting teams fosters a sense of community and a deep connection with like-minded individuals, transcending boundaries of other communities and fostering a strong sense of communal identification.

In offering a deeper psychoanalytic understanding of sports, this book aims to unravel the intricacies of human behavior, shed light on our patients' experiences, and broaden our cultural understanding. It holds immense appeal to psychotherapists, psychoanalysts, and anyone with a keen interest in the intersection of sport, psychoanalysis, and mental health. By delving into the complex dynamics between athletes, spectators, and the broader societal context, this book provides valuable insights that can enhance our therapeutic approaches and foster a more holistic understanding of human development.

Weight: 338g
Dimension: 156 x 231 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367542382