On letting go: with age comes renunciation
1Norman A. Clemens, MD, is Emeritus Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and a Training and Supervising Analyst at the Cleveland Psychoanalytic Center.
Journal of Psychiatric Practice
|September 17, 2014
Summary
Advancing years bring inevitable losses, requiring psychological readjustment and adaptation. Mourning these losses can lead to unexpected growth, wisdom, and new life satisfactions.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Gerontology
- Psychoanalytic Theory
Background:
- Aging involves accumulating losses impacting self-perception and relationships.
- The psychological impact of loss necessitates significant personal adaptation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the psychological processes associated with aging and loss.
- To examine the role of defense mechanisms and mourning in adaptation to life changes.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative analysis of personal narrative (sailboat example).
- Exploration of psychoanalytic concepts (narcissism, defense mechanisms, mourning).
Main Results:
- Losses in later life trigger profound interpersonal and narcissistic adjustments.
- Denial serves a purpose but has limitations in managing grief.
- Resolution of mourning can foster new opportunities and satisfactions.
Conclusions:
- Adaptation to aging requires navigating inevitable losses and the mourning process.
- Religion and spirituality can influence adaptation.
- Mature development, characterized by wisdom, humor, and creativity, aids successful aging.
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