title: Childhood and trauma.
abstract: In this paper, I follow the evolution of the concept of trauma within psychoanalytic theory, and some of the effects of this evolution. Starting out from the point where Freud gives up the theory of trauma as the cause of neurosis in 1897, and the alleged reasons for such a change, I analyze the theoretical and clinical consequences of this change within psychoanalysis. I proceed to develop Ferenczi's ideas on trauma, their relevance to present-day psychoanalytic theorizing and practice, as well as for the understanding of the psychic processes in children, tracing the development of some of these ideas in contemporary psychoanalytic thinking.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychoanalysis, University Institute of Mental Health, Asociación Psicoanalítica de Buenos Aires. pedroboschan@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Pedro J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Boschan
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology*; D005619:Freudian Theory; D006801:Humans; D007046:Hysteria / Q000523:psychology; D008016:Life Change Events; D009497:Neurotic Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D010553:Personality Development; D011574:Psychoanalytic Theory; D011575:Psychoanalytic Therapy; D011936:Reality Testing; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology*; D014473:Unconscious, Psychology; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology