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The Oedipus complex is a phenomenon observed in both Eastern and Western cultures. It involves a transition from a child’s early connection with their mother to a more complex relationship that includes the father. The interpretation of this period has evolved from Freud’s idea of the father acquiring a “super-ego” to a modern understanding of acquiring masculinity, autonomy from parental authority, and developing the capacity for other loving relationships. Successfully navigating the Oedipus period requires not just a father figure as a source of fear, but a father who is supportive and willing to make sacrifices for their child’s growth. It is important to resolve any negative countertransference experienced by the father in this role, as it greatly influences the smooth completion of this period. To address the countertransference that inevitably arises during the Oedipus period, religious and philosophical ideas can serve a role similar to that of a supervisor in the analysis process. However, applying Eastern religious and philosophical ideas, such as Confucianism (Yu-gyo), may be challenging due to their emphasis on vertical relationships. Fortunately, the concept of “hyo” holds promise for the future, as it embodies a principle of mutualism that can be applied in a modern context, despite its seemingly vertical foundation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Repetitive self-mutilation or non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) refers to the intentional destruction of one’s own body tissue without suicidal intent and for purposes not socially sanctioned. Common examples include cutting, scratching, and hitting. Although NSSI generally has been considered a characteristic symptom of borderline personality disorder, its onset and prevalence typically occur in mid-adolescence, whereas the typical onset of borderline personality disorder is in early adulthood. Therefore, NSSI should be considered separately from borderline personality, but also from a psychodynamic perspective. From the classical psychoanalytic viewpoint, self-mutilation is associated with the failure to control aggressive drives. In ego psychology, self-mutilation is seen as an attempt of the fragile ego to re-establish boundaries with the external environment and avoid being overcome with uncontrollable emotions. In object-relation theory, it is seen as an effort to reconstruct unclear boundaries between ego and object or ego and reality by cutting the skin-the fundamental separation between them. Self-mutilation- can interfere with the psychotherapy by increasing or decreasing transference or causing strong countertransference. The therapist might experience helplessness or anger at repetitive self-mutilations and, with an adolescent patient, might be conflicted about telling the facts to parents or maintaining the patient’s confidentiality. In conclusion, consideration of various psychodynamic aspects is important in understanding and treating patients with NSSI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artistic creations such as films or dramas comprise projections of the human psychic world. One can observe those dynamic worlds through the lens of psychoanalysis and can experience by proxy the challenging therapeutic situations therein. Amongst those challenges, there lies the concept of psychopathy. A leading character named ‘Villanelle’ in BBC America drama ‘Killing Eve’ is one example of a female psychopath with a devilish charm. This naughty assassin manifests key characteristics of psychopathy such as callousness, manipulation, lack of remorse and antisocial behavior. From the psychoanalytic perspective, Villanelle’s inability to form affectionate relationships stems chronically from her abused and abandoned history of early relations, apart from genetic factors, and it aggravates the derailment of her social life. Yet, her intriguing aspects exude from her incessant efforts to live a normal life and yearns for the attachment relationship with Eve, her counterpart character. Through the analysis of this character, we also examined the psychology of modern times. Some people may share many aspects with the character Villanelle, such as egocentricity, lack of empathy, inner voidness, etc. These psychopathic traits can be revealed as asocial qualities in typical relationships, even if not an overt psychopath. Therapists should thus understand the psychopathic personality or trait as a continuum, caution against the countertransference of condemnation, and consider the psychopathology of contemporary people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When psychoanalysis enters its mid-phase, the manifestation of transference is made so clear that it becomes the focal issue in the analytic process. This article aims to explore, based on clinical case materials, how transference and transference neurosis manifest themselves in the mid-phase of psychoanalysis and to inquire into its therapeutic meaning. For this purpose I discuss definitions and meanings of transference and transference neurosis, and investigate what transference and transference neurosis might have to do with the mid-phase of psychoanalysis. Furthermore, I present and discuss two verbatim reports of my clinical cases, which are expected to reveal how transference and transference neurosis manifest themselves in the mid-phase of psychoanalysis. Then, I explore the significant meanings of transference and transference resistance for psychoanalysis and, finally, discuss several important points to be noted in the practice of transference analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When Melanie Klein's ideas about psychoanalysis were first introduced, they immediately stirred the considerable controversy over their effectiveness and appropriateness. It is also well known that it led to the intense debate between the so-called contemporary "Freudians" and "Kleinians", the two prominent schools in the British Psychoanalytic Society for the following several years in the 1940s. Despite the attention, the "Kleinian analysis" has never been clearly defined, nor has it been distinctly differentiated from other analytic schools. It is believed, however, that Kleinian analysts employ different techniques, some of which are regarded by analysts in different schools as "harmful" to patients or their analytic progress. These controversial points are related to: the timing of so-called "transference interpretation"; their emphasis on "here and now" situation; diminished value on reconstruction during the course of analytic work. In my view, it is mainly the Kleinian analysis' conceptual or theoretical differences that contributed to the development of its characteristic techniques. Melanie Klein has known to have developed her technique for analytic work with children, while maintaining traditional analytic values. She came to explore "primitive defenses" during the preverbal period, which Freud had never observed directly. The direct experiences with children and new findings enabled her to challenge Sigmund Freud's theory and his technique and were eventually developed into new ideas. In my view, however, Kleinian analysts would still argue their techniques are not deliberate diversion from the traditional analytics, but designed simply to meet traditional analytic goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]