Mourning and migration

Abstract

This paper describes two patients who were seen for consultation in the Tavistock Trauma Service. Both men had experienced overwhelming loss and trauma. What may happen in the mourning process and how time may stand still when mourning becomes unbearable are some of the themes explored, making reference to Freud's classic paper ‘Mourning and melancholia’.

Keywords:

• trauma
• mourning
• melancholia
• refugees

Acknowledgement

This paper is based on a presentation given to the joint conference held by the Institute for Group Analysis and Psychodynamic Practice in October, 2008.