The Triumphant Victim: A Psychoanalytical Perspective on Sadomasochism and Perverse Thinking

ISBN-13: 9781780490571 / Angielski / Miękka / 2013 / 296 str.

J F Miller

Opis

Most people have some idea of the meaning of the words sadism and masochism, but for few people does their understanding go beyond rather vague ideas such as inflicting, or enjoying pain. Even fewer people ask themselves what is behind such behavior, and this applies even to healthcare professionals and therapists. In non-technical language, accessible both for the professional and layman, this book gives a clear picture of the underlying pathology of sado-masochism, its effects, and how it can be treated. It also examines other key, psychological, defence mechanisms--such as hysteria and projective identification--and looks at their relationship to sado-masochism.

The author draws on many years working with children and families in education, as well as nearly 30 years of analytical practice, to give insight into the underlying dynamics. From his clinical experience, he has come to the conclusion that sadomasochistic pathology is a far more widespread and serious problem than is generally recognized. The book uses detailed case material to examine the way in which the problem interferes with relationships and emotional growth in the individual's everyday life, and how this has profound effects on society as a whole.

Spis treści

Who This Book is For , Foreword , Introduction: the human context and the developmental imperative , Clinical Issues , Control and helplessness , The core problem: from subversion to perversion , Infantile and adult sexuality , Mothering and the parental couple , Pornography and masturbation: the virtual world , The avoidance of feeling , Projective identification and the claustrum , Sexuality and perversion , Masochism and the emotional orphan , Romantic agony , Hysteria and sadomasochism , Exhibitionism and voyeurism , Social Manifestations , Symbolisation and concrete thinking , Basic tribal assumption thinking and mentality , Perversely religious and religiously perverse , Evangelical atheism , Feminism and the phallic Trojan horse , A child is being murdered , The everlasting baby and the parasite , From victim and blame to a saner society , Case Histories , Abigail: survival through invisibility , Judy and Maria: vendettas against the parent/analyst , Damien: student drop-out and would-be professional psychiatric patient , Kelly: a case of courage in the face of perversity , Mark: the battered husband , Peter and Jim: the black hole of the psyche

O autorze

JF Miller