Present Without Past: The Disruption of Temporal Integration in a Case of Transsexuality

ABSTRACT

In this article, I examine the impact of extensive modification of the body on the temporal link, which is an important feature of human identity, as it provides continuity between different representations of the self over time. I illustrate this with a case of a young boy who underwent sex reassignment surgery in late adolescence after the artificial suspension of puberty through sex hormones. I argue that when hormones are used in this way, one can observe in some cases not only the desired suspension of physical time during which the body’s given biological trajectory is artificially halted, but also of psychological time. In some instances, this biological and psychic detour can result in a marked distortion in the young person’s relationship to time and impacts on their psychological adaptation following surgery.

Acknowledgment

A version of this article appears as Chapter 4 in Lemma, A. (2015), Minding the Body. London: Routledge.

Notes

¹ This may need to reconsidered in light of the fetus’ intrauterine experience, which may already provide prototypes based on the mother’s bodily rhythms.

² This term arose out of my work with individuals who have extensively modified their bodies.

³ The therapy was conducted in a public health service setting, face-to-face, once a week.

⁴ I am grateful to Henry Smith for his reflections on this exchange.

⁵ Rob Ryan is a British paper cutter artist who specialises in papercutting, screen-printing and drawing and painting. Ryan’s first book, This Is for You (2007), consists of a fairy tale told through his paper cut-out art and explores themes of love and loneliness.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Alessandra Lemma

Alessandra Lemma is a Consultant Adult Psychotherapist at the Portman Clinic in London, and a Visiting Professor at University College London.