The Ego Structure and the Self-Identity of the Schizophrenic Human and the Task of Psychoanalysis

Abstract

Therapeutic transformation of the otherwise splitting symbiosis, transformation of the self-object into the transitional subject and progressive psychopathology as a preliminary stage to dualisation, communication and rehabilitation are described against the background of the author's 50 years of experience of working with schizophrenic patients. In addition to good social and existential healing, the author stresses the value of the individual sessions for both therapist and patient. The author clarifies the difference between “projective identification” and “partial identification with the suffering of the patient”, the latter demonstrating the strong side of the therapist, who exerts a positive influence, converting schizophrenic symbiosis into therapeutic symbiosis.