Virginia Woolf: manic-depressive psychosis and genius. An illustration of separation-individuation theory

Virginia Stephen was a member of one of England's great literary families, many of whom were also mentally ill. An exquisitely endowed infant, she was beautifully matched with her mother during the symbiotic state of development, and later called this period "the base upon which life stands." Difficulties presumably began as early as the differentiation subphase of separation. Mrs. Stephen appeared to be a narcissistic woman, who required constant affirmation, and thus was unable to respond to the needs of a developing child. Virginia probably was rescued from engulfment by a powerful biologically determined practicing period of separation-individuation. This great organismic surge, in all likelihood, is as characteristic of toddlers who are incipient manics as of children of future genius. Because of the strong regressive pull, it is probable that Virginia experienced a particularly high-powered glee in evading the field of her mother. This "economic condition," according to Freud, is a given that is felt by the manic as he overthrows the imprisoning restraints of the superego. Deflated by events beyond her control, such as the sadism of her siblings, Virginia probably attempted to return to her mother. But it appears that Mrs. Stephen was not available. Hence Virginia was forced to split off her anger and turn it against herself, keeping her aggression unavailable for neutralization. As a result she was unable to proceed to an age-adequate level of development. The raw rage lay smoldering within until many years later, when it burst forth to power her manic attacks. This failure of rapprochement presumably deflated Virginia, and resulted in a basic mood of depression already apparent in the nursery. Virginia also experienced a second basic mood, elation, which appears to have been characteristic of her even in well periods, and resembles the description of the typical manic victim given by Beck.