The Body and Its Pain

Physical pain may, in many cases be considered as a psychic symptom, in the same way as anxiety, depression and obsession. The main thesis of this work, illustrated with many clinical case studies, is that chronic pain (for which tests reveal no physical cause) invariably has its origin in a childhood which is seriously lacking in affection. The book presents a fascinating theoretical description of pain, with particular reference to Freud's ideas on the subject, and provides a detailed account of the treatment by analytical psychotherapy of patients suffering from chronic pain.