Comments on Dr Norman A. Cohen's paper: 'on loneliness and the ageing process'

Referring to Cohen's account of his patient, it is stressed that the reported data may also warrant understanding the psychodynamics of the case as manifestations of an oedipal conflict. The importance of the break-down of narcissistic defences as a factor of paramount importance to triggering a mid-life crisis is fully acknowledged. At the same time it is maintained that narcissistic problems, because of their defensive character, may be correlated to each and every developmental stage. Three short vignettes are given, illustrating this. It is attempted to demonstrate that besides a painstaking analysis of death fantasies, the theme of death in itself transcends 'ordinary' analytic endeavouring, because it does not allow a mastering of the depressive position by reparation. Instead the 'im-mortality of death' permits only a life in actuality and projective identification.