Clinical Aspects of Adolescent Issues Contributions from Neuro-Psychoanalysis

ABSTRACT

Clinical aspects of adolescent issues are reviewed, particularly the importance of emotions. The work of Jaak Panksepp, with regard to core affects, is highlighted as a potential for the elaboration of an overarching theoretical frame of reference for psychoanalysis and psychotherapy. The paper highlights the importance of understanding the power of defeqnses against painful emotions, implicit emotion regulation, and the cortical/subcortical imbalance in adolescence. A case example is provided to illustrate these ideas.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

1. This case discussion is derived from a series of “intakes” which I conducted or supervised many decades ago, whose names were never in my records. The description is written as if it were one case, although it is a composite.