When the Body Speaks: A British-Italian Dialogue

A group of British and Italian psychoanalysts have been studying the relationship between the mind and the body of their patients since 2003. This book explores key topics such as somatic symptoms, the embodied unconscious, bodily expressions of affect, sexuality, violence, self-harm, suicide attempts, hypochondria, hysteria, anorexia, and bulimia. It is inspired by various psychoanalytic theoreticians and offers new advances in theoretical thinking and practical applications for clinical work.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 292 pages
Publication date: 15 November 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Based on extensive research conducted by a group of esteemed British and Italian psychoanalysts, this groundbreaking book delves into the intricate relationship between the mind and the body of their patients. Since 2003, these experts have convened twice a year to explore clinically the profound interplay between these two aspects of human existence. The analytical dyad, a central concept in this study, emerged as a focal point for a dynamic dialectical movement that bridged the gap between body and mind, as well as between subject and object.

Featuring contributions from a diverse array of renowned British and Italian analysts, this comprehensive volume addresses a wide range of critical topics, including somatic symptoms, the embodied unconscious, bodily expressions of emotion, sexuality, violence, self-harm, suicide attempts, hypochondria, hysteria, anorexia, and bulimia. Moreover, it explores the profound splits and fragmentation that often accompany the body, shedding light on the complex interplay between mind and body in the realm of mental health.

The theoretical framework underpinning this work draws inspiration from a diverse range of psychoanalytic theoreticians, including Sigmund Freud, Melanie Klein, Winnicott, and Bion. These influential figures, along with their groundbreaking theories on sexuality, infantile sexuality, libido, aggression, death instinct, the Oedipus complex, and the mother-child relationship, have profoundly shaped the understanding of the human psyche.

By offering fresh insights into theoretical thinking and providing practical applications for clinical work, this book emerges as a vital resource for all psychoanalysts and mental health clinicians seeking to comprehend the profound mental disturbances that manifest in the body. Its comprehensive coverage and insightful analysis make it an essential tool for professionals working in the field of mental health, enabling them to better understand and address the complex interplay between mind and body in their patients.

Weight: 466g
Dimension: 154 x 232 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032055534