ON LEAVING THE SCENE: PROCESSING PROJECTIVE IDENTIFICATION AND THE SCHIZOID EXPERIENCE.

Countertransference reactions of sleepiness and disinterest in the clinical material being presented by patients can be annoying and confusing. This paper presents a theoretical framework for understanding the author's countertransference with Borderline patients in the schizoid continuum of borderline pathology, according to a classification scheme from Meissner (1984). In the case example presented projective identification and several interpretations of its meaning are reviewed and linked with the author/therapist's experience of sleepiness in the session. The understanding and containment of these projections, as well as interpretations offered to the patient, allowed for a successful resolution to the treatment. Implications for other cases with similar character structure are discussed with emphasis on the therapists using their subjective experience of sleepiness to understand their patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]