The Claustrum: An Investigation of Claustrophobic Phenomena
Part of The Harris Meltzer Trust series - more in this series
Book Details
- Publisher : Harris Meltzer Trust
- Published : July 2018
- Cover : Paperback
- Pages : 208
- Category :
Psychoanalysis - Catalogue No : 93695
- ISBN 13 : 9781912567270
- ISBN 10 : 191256727X
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Using the Kleinian concept of projective identification, with special reference to intrusive identification with internal objects, this work examines claustrophobic phenomena and its relations to the treatment of borderline and adolescent patients.
Founding his theory as always on clinical discoveries, Meltzer discovered that not only the uterus, but also other spaces of the internal mother figure, are susceptible to becoming a “maternal claustrum”, each giving rise to distinct pathologies that pre-empt the patient establishing a true relationship with either himself or others. The book pairs with The Apprehension of Beauty as a radical post-Kleinian revision of psychoanalytic theory, and concludes with a literary study of Macbeth by Meg Harris Williams illustrating the distinction between the equivocation of the Claustrum and the ambiguity of poetry.
Reviews and Endorsements
‘It is impressive how much Meltzer extended and enriched Melanie Klein’s concepts in “The Claustrum”. He considers the claustrum-dweller’s projective identification into an internal object to be not “massive” (a quantitative concept), but rather, “intrusive” (a qualitative concept), hence its malignancy. He also discovered that not only the uterus, but also other spaces of the internal mother figure, are susceptible to becoming a “maternal claustrum”, each giving rise to distinct pathologies.’
Rebeca Grinberg, training analyst and child analyst, Asociación Psicoanalitica de Madrid, IPA
‘In this book Meltzer both develops and brings into direct clinical use the later aesthetic viewpoint of Bion, in a radical post-Kleinian and, I would say, systems-oriented understanding of severe personality disorders, more illuminating than life and death instincts at work. Meltzer shows that however dynamic a person’s life may seem to be, his inner world may be dominated by stagnant, narcissistic, closed systems with no vital interchange. No real commitment to others and no true relation to his inner self will then be permitted, and his inner life will eventually disintegrate if he does not change. In a clear-cut but not simplistic way Meltzer shows how to identify these patterns, and the omnipotence and claustrophobic fears that accompany them.’
Lennart Ramberg, training analyst, Swedish Psychoanalytical Association, IPA and IFPS
‘Perhaps it can be seen as a diptych together with The Apprehension of Beauty. For the claustrum dweller in intrusive identification, no freedom is given to the object and so the riches and beauty of the host turn sour…the claustrum in its deepest unconscious mentality is a world of misconceptions, misrepresentations, failed recognition and delusion.’
Jon Morgan Stokkeland, Stavanger, Norway, and Lars Thorgaard, Aarhus, Denmark; adult psychotherapists and psychiatrists
‘Living unconsciously in head/breast-, genital- or anal compartments has severe psychopathological consequences. Meltzer’s investigations in these narcissistic worlds profoundly enlarge our understanding of schizophrenia, borderline states, perversions, addictions and claustrophobic phenomena.’
Tomas Plaenkers, training analyst, Sigmund Freud Institut, Frankfurt
‘I find this a wonderful book. Meltzer has a light touch in talking about very serious problems of mental growth, without belittling them. He also gives a picture, with tenderness and his ever-present wry humour, of how we can find something better, more alive for ourselves and for our patients. His work is inspirational for students and experienced practitioners alike.’
Katherine Arnold, child and adult psychotherapist, UK
Table of Contents
Foreword
Meg Harris Williams
PART ONE: BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION
Introduction
1. Melanie Klein’s vision of projective identification
2. Review of earlier publications
PART TWO: COMPARTMENTS OF THE CLAUSTRUM
3. The geographic dimension of the mental apparatus
4. The compartments of the internal mother
5. Life in the Claustrum
6. Technical problems of the Claustrum
PART THREE: IMPLICATIONS OF THE CLAUSTRUM
7. Emergence from the Claustrum versus shift of consciousness
8. The role of the Claustrum in the onset of schizophrenia
9. Concerning the ubiquity of projective identification
10. Symptomatology versus characterology – the psychoanalytical process
11. The Claustrum and adolescence
12. The Claustrum and the perversions/addictions
13. The Claustrum and politics
Addendum – Macbeth’s equivocation, Shakespeare’s ambiguity
Meg Harris Williams
References
Index
About the Author(s)
Donald Meltzer (1923-2004) is widely known as a psychoanalyst and teacher throughout Europe and South America. He is the author of many works on psychoanalytic theory and practice, including The Psychoanalytical Process, Sexual States of Mind, Explorations in Autism, The Kleinian Development, Dream Life, Studies in Extended Metapsychology, and The Claustrum, all published by the Harris Meltzer Trust.
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