About interpretation of self-envy

I present clinical material from two patients in order to describe self-envy interpretation in borderline structures, where negative therapeutic reaction type of mechanisms are usually present, and where massive and intrusive projective identifications are continuously used with the main unconscious purpose of establishing a perverse collusion with the analyst. In these cases there is also a need for splitting and projection of sadistic superego components, in order to provide a corporeity to the persecutor by placing it outside. Self-envy interpretation may help the analyst to deal with the transferential pressure exercised by these patients, and as a consequence improving the 'working space' and providing a better analytical objectivity.