The destruction of time in pathological narcissism

Abstract

This paper describes the characteristics of subjective time (in contrast to objective time), with particular reference to a specific form of pathological experience and relation to the passage of time in patients with narcissistic personality undergoing psychoanalytic treatment. The clinical manifestations and technical approach to this pathology of time experience are outlined in the context of illustrative clinical vignettes.

Key words:

• denial of death
• denial of time
• eternity and absence of time
• illusion of permanence
• life cycle
• narcissism
• negative therapeutic reaction
• omnipotence
• time destruction
• time experience

1. Otto F. Kernberg, M.D. is Director, Personality Disorders Institute, The New York Presbyterian Hospital, Professor of Psychiatry, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, and Training and Supervising Analyst, Columbia University Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research. This paper represents work from the Cornell Psychotherapy Project supported by a grant from the Borderline Personality Disorder Research Foundation. The Foundation, and its founder, Dr Marco Stoffel, are gratefully acknowledged.

1. Otto F. Kernberg, M.D. is Director, Personality Disorders Institute, The New York Presbyterian Hospital, Professor of Psychiatry, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, and Training and Supervising Analyst, Columbia University Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research. This paper represents work from the Cornell Psychotherapy Project supported by a grant from the Borderline Personality Disorder Research Foundation. The Foundation, and its founder, Dr Marco Stoffel, are gratefully acknowledged.

Notes

1. Otto F. Kernberg, M.D. is Director, Personality Disorders Institute, The New York Presbyterian Hospital, Professor of Psychiatry, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, and Training and Supervising Analyst, Columbia University Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research. This paper represents work from the Cornell Psychotherapy Project supported by a grant from the Borderline Personality Disorder Research Foundation. The Foundation, and its founder, Dr Marco Stoffel, are gratefully acknowledged.