A sadomasochistic transference: its relation to distortions in the rapprochement subphase.
The development of a rageful sadomasochistic transference early in an analysis is presented. We describe key interventions that foster its resolution and offer a reconstruction of the patient's early life, focusing on difficulty in the rapprochement phase. We believe that the intense and difficult to manage sadomasochistic transference was linked to a repudiation of both preoedipal and oedipal triangulation, resulting in the perpetuation of a hostile dependent mother-child dyad and in the patient's unconscious belief that sadomasochistic interactions were the only means of establishing and maintaining a close relationship.
Seelig
B J
BJ
Emory University School of Medicine.
Person
E S
ES
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007207:Individuation; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008398:Masochism / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012448:Sadism / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D012649:Self Concept; D014167:Transference, Psychology; D014473:Unconscious, Psychology