Psychosis and Extreme States: An Ethic for Treatment

A new book by Bret Fimiani challenges the fear of psychosis by presenting a Lacanian approach to psychosis that emphasizes the unclaimed intelligence at work in the experience. It argues that psychosis still has much to teach psychoanalysis about how to create an effective approach for psychosis and provides a comprehensive psychoanalytic theory of psychosis that derives from the experience of psychosis itself.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 228 pages
Publication date: 18 July 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This remarkable and exquisitely crafted book evokes a profound shift in the approach to treating psychosis, as acclaimed author Juliet Flower MacCannell, the author of Figuring Lacan and The Hysterics Guide to the Future Female Subject, asserts.

Bret Fimiani's book presents a captivating exploration of the Lacanian approach to psychosis through a clear and accessible style, effectively conveying Lacanian concepts with remarkable precision. Through illustrative examples drawn from his psychoanalytic practice, Fimiani sheds light on the complexities of psychosis, challenging the prevailing fear associated with this condition. The dynamic nature of his investigation is further enriched by testimonies from individuals who have experienced psychosis, as well as from the Hearing Voices Network, and analysts who emphasize the untapped intelligence inherent in psychosis.

Co-author Francoise Davoine, in her endorsement, highlights the book's significant contribution. She remarks, "This book advances a novel theory of transference-in-psychosis, with the ultimate goal of transforming our understanding and clinical treatment of psychosis. It delves into the crucial role of ethics in establishing transference within the context of psychosis treatment, arguing that the primary objective of psychoanalytic experience is to cultivate a new ethical framework for both the analysand and the therapist. Drawing upon the profound insights of Freud, Lacan, Deleuze & Guattari, and Apollon, the author reimagines the problem of the 'body (as an effect of language)' and its relationship to transference and ethics in treating psychosis. By grounding their analysis in the lived experiences of psychotics, they propose a transformative perspective that challenges the conventional understanding of this condition. This book offers a comprehensive psychoanalytic theory of psychosis, rooted in the very essence of psychosis itself. Through its synthesis, it provides a profound and transformative understanding of psychosis, offering valuable insights for psychoanalysis in its ongoing evolution to effectively address this unique clinical challenge."

Weight: 334g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030754426
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021