Inventors of new selves

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Psychiatry
• Psychoanalysis

Background:

• This paper explores a distinct personality organization characterized by a self-defined identity independent of past experiences.
• Individuals with this pattern often exhibit recurrent, significant shifts in their self-concept.

Observation:

• Two psychodynamic underpinnings are identified: a "flight from engulfment" and a "flight from inner badness."
• Childhood origins are linked to pathogenic caretaker responses during separation and individuation phases.

Findings:

• Patients with this personality pattern pose unique challenges in psychoanalytic therapy.
• A primary therapeutic hazard involves patients redefining themselves and terminating treatment when their psychic structure is explored.

Implications:

• Modified psychoanalytic techniques are proposed, moving beyond classical methods.
• Empathically guided analyst openness is highlighted as a valuable therapeutic tool for this patient population.