Suicidal patients' psychological attacks on the therapist

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Psychotherapy
• Psychoanalysis

Background:

• Suicidal borderline patients often utilize therapists as "selfobjects."
• Selfobjects are crucial for regulating a patient's narcissistic equilibrium.
• This dynamic can impact the therapeutic relationship and therapist's self-worth.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate the concept of "selfobject" use in therapy with suicidal borderline patients.
• To illustrate "selfobject transference" through a detailed case history.
• To explore the impact of patient attacks on therapist self-worth.

Main Methods:

• Case study analysis of a young woman with suicidal borderline traits.
• Examination of transference dynamics, specifically "selfobject transference."
• Analysis of patient's childhood experiences and their manifestation in therapy.

Main Results:

• The patient developed a "selfobject transference" by attacking the therapist.
• These attacks mirrored her own childhood experiences.
• The patient's "massive, hidden attacks" negatively affected the therapist's self-worth.

Conclusions:

• "Selfobject" dynamics are a significant factor in the therapy of suicidal borderline patients.
• Understanding "selfobject transference" is key to managing these therapeutic relationships.
• Therapists must be aware of how patient dynamics can impact their own sense of self-worth.