Thoughts without a thinker, mimetic fusing and the anti-container considered as primitive defensive mechanisms in the addictions

Abstract

This paper explores certain primitive defensive mechanisms found with addicted patients and introduces one of these, an intra-psychic mechanism, termed mimetic fusing. The descriptive concept of mimetic fusing is introduced in order to illuminate the processes by which a primitive self appears to repeat attempts to assimilate and detoxify introjections that are felt to be threatening and that generate intense anxiety. It is suggested that in the absence of an adequate container (Bion, 1962. A theory of thinking. International Journal of Psycho-Analysis, 43(4-5)), mimetic fusing may develop as a defensive mechanism to assimilate aggressively imbued introjections that threaten to overwhelm a fragile self-structure. The author suggests that mimetic fusing may represent a desperate defensive strategy that ultimately leads to the increased use of other basic defences such as splitting, the anti-container, anti-time and projective identification. Case material, taken from work with an addicted patient in longer term weekly psychotherapy, is included to illustrate the theoretical points under discussion.

Keywords:

• containment
• mimetic
• fusing
• projective
• identification
• objects

Notes

1. The following clinical case has been disguised to preserve confidentiality.