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Fanaticism in Psychoanalysis: Upheavals in the Institutions

Author(s) : Manuela Utrilla Robles

Reviews and Endorsements

‘Manuela Utrilla Robles has done great service to psychoanalysis through her inspiring investigation of analytic fanaticism that all to often dwells in the centre of our institutional life. This taboo subject begins with a failure of ethics and respect for the individual, developing into “intellectual terrorism”. Analytic institutions are vulnerable to leaders who Utrilla describes as using idealisation and politicisation so that analysis itself becomes a distorted object. Her descriptions of analytic society meetings' where colleagues are told that 'the institution has room for all' invokes the Orwellian language that is invariably found in national politics. Helpfully visiting group dynamics she returns us to Freud’s future of an illusion by way of an answer. This is a brave and an important book.’
- Dr Jonathan Sklar, Training Analyst, The British Psychoanalytical Society

‘The sadly ever-present issue of fanaticism is the subject of this psychoanalytic study of the roots of intolerance. Several historical figures are used to study the mechanisms of regression to magical and omnipotent thinking, where domination over the other requires the elimination of differences to establish a single thought, with the victimhood of the fanatic as paradoxical use of power. The author proposes a reflection on freedom and its various forms of coarctation in individual and group levels. The insistence on the necessity of working through runs throughout this vibrant work like a hymn to freedom of thought and creativity.’
- Dr Milagros Cid Sanz, MD, Training analyst at the Madrid Psychoanalytical Association and European Representative of the Board of the International Psychoanalytical Association