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Obsessional phenomena and the concept of intentionality
International Journal of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy
|January 1, 1977
Summary
Examining intentionality in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can differentiate between neurotic and earlier developmental conflicts. This distinction aids in tailoring therapeutic strategies for individuals with OCD.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychoanalysis
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Obsessional phenomena are observed across diverse personality types.
- The specific manifestations of obsessions may offer limited insight into overall personality structure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the utility of examining intentionality in patients with obsessional phenomena.
- To differentiate between individuals with primarily neurotic conflicts and those with earlier oral developmental difficulties.
Main Methods:
- Speculative links between obsessional phenomena and preanal developmental stages.
- Examination of the concept of intentionality in thought and action.
Main Results:
- Intentionality is linked to self-object differentiation, projective mechanisms, and ego-superego dynamics.
- The ability to tolerate and recognize internal aggression is a related factor.
Conclusions:
- Distinguishing between neurotic and earlier developmental conflicts in obsessionals is crucial.
- Accurate and timely diagnostic differentiation can inform and refine treatment approaches for obsessive-compulsive disorder.