Abstract

MINERBO, Marion. Narcissistic suffering: dialogue with a younger colleague. J. psicanal. [online]. 2014, vol.47, n.86, pp.207-223. ISSN 0103-5835.

In this paper, written as a dialogue with a younger colleague, the author presents narcissistic suffering both from a clinical and theoretical point of view. She understands that this suffering relates to problems in the constitution of the ego, which is weakened by primary defenses - splitting and identification with the aggressor - used for surviving early trauma. In addition to classical definitions of trauma, the author suggests that it may originate within a primary bond with tanatic features, when mother communicates with her child through projective identifications. Finally, she shows how narcissistic fragility manifests in the clinic by means of psychotic functioning, in which we can recognise impaired ego functions, difficulty in maintaining ego boundaries, and cruel superego attacks against the ego.

Keywords : narcissistic suffering; narcissistic fragility; narcissistic transference; psychotic functioning; early trauma.

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