Biomedical subjects

N Kulish

Publications and source records attributed to N Kulish.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2000

The feminization of the female oedipal complex, Part I: a reconsideration of the significance of separation issues.

Freud's insights about the oedipus complex have been universalized to include the psychology of the girl. The authors argue that this crucial developmental phase for girls has uniquely feminine characteristics that have not been fully recognized or cohesively incorporated into psychoanalytic theories. This paper addresses these differences, which are based on characteristic patterns of object relationships, typical defenses, and social considerations. The authors argue that "female oedipal" is an oxymoron, and propose that this constellation be named "the Persephone complex" after the Greek myth of Persephone, which seems to capture better the typical situation of the little girl. They focus on the issue of separation and its complicated and necessary role in the triangular situation of females. Using illustrations from clinical material, the authors argue that the frequent appearance of separation material linked to triangular heterosexual competitive fantasies can and should be differentiated from material in which ideas about separation stem from dyadic and earlier issues. Misunderstanding how these separation conflicts tie into triangular "oedipal" relationships can lead to a "preoedipalization" of the dynamics of girls and women.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Primary femininity: clinical advances and theoretical ambiguities.

This paper examines the use of the term "primary femininity" in current psychoanalytic thinking. The concept of primary femininity arose in reaction to early theories about female sexuality and development; based on a model of male development, these presented problems when applied to females. The author attempts to demonstrate the clinical advances that have resulted from the idea of primary femininity. At the same time she argues that the idea has been used to carry widely differing meanings, and has reflected many writers' differing frames of reference, which range from gender identity through biological traits, object relations, genital anxieties, and bisexuality. Like the terms it originally was intended to replace or augment, it has come to be used reductionistically or loosely. The author warns against its misuse and argues that primary femininity is not a unitary concept, but rather encompasses a related group of ideas about the female body and mind.

Anxiety↗

PubMed1998

Persephone, the loss of virginity and the female oedipal complex.

The ancient myth of Persephone and her mother, Demeter, has been characterised as the most important myth about women and the mother-daughter relationship. Previous psychoanalytic interpretations of the myth have neglected its depiction of the girl's defence against a sense of agency over her sexuality. The authors present two examples of the use of this myth by an analytic patient and the writer, Edith Wharton. Both women consciously identified in childhood with the figure of Persephone. Aspects of the myth contributed to a central unconscious fantasy that illuminated their dynamics and sexual conflicts. The authors argue that the Persephone myth is essentially a portrayal of the oedipal dilemma that emphasises a conflict of loyalty towards father and mother, fear of loss of virginity and adult sexuality and a peaceful resolution. The female oedipal conflict is seen as different from that of the male, because the girl competes with the mother on whom she must depend as primary care-giver. Separation issues are encompassed within the female oedipal phase proper. It is proposed that the Persephone complex is better suited to representing women's issues than is the myth of Oedipus.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

First loves and prime adventures: adolescent expressions in adult analyses.

Adolescent processes are frequently overlooked in the analyses of adults. The author focuses on the importance and meaning of first loves in the lives of adolescents and demonstrates how these prime experiences reverberate in the analyses of adults. She suggests that adolescent experiences cannot simply or usefully be reduced to preoedipal or oedipal meanings. Explanations for the neglect of adolescent phenomena are offered both historically, in terms of Freud's lack of understanding of adolescence, and clinically, in terms of countertransference and transference. It is argued that the intense affects of adolescence contribute to the resistance to re-experiencing them in treatment.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

A phobia of the couch: a clinical study of psychoanalytic process.

Conversion from psychotherapy to psychoanalysis and the differences between the two have been the subject of discussion and controversy in recent years. The theoretical and technical questions that have been raised suffer from the lack of detailed clinical accounts that might help to elucidate the processes involved. The author presents a case of a woman whose refusal to use the couch for three years became a central organizing resistance and took on the structure of a phobia. It is argued that the case, rather than a conversion from psychotherapy to psychoanalysis, was one of psychoanalysis from the beginning, with the conflicts about the couch analyzed as are any other resistances.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Nevermore: the hymen and the loss of virginity.

A major milestone in a woman's life is the loss of virginity, "defloration," with the breaking of the hymen. Psychoanalysis has paid little attention to the meaning of defloration to either women or men, and virtually none to the hymen as a part of the female genitalia. The reasons for this disregard or avoidance are explored. Utilizing the few psychoanalytic writings, mythology, literature, and anthropological studies in addition to numerous clinical examples, the authors find that the unconscious meanings of the loss of virginity and the hymen emerge clearly. The common theme is that of negation, never, never again, never seen, known or named. Theoretical considerations regarding female sexuality are discussed. Technical implications for analyst-patient are presented.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

Precocious ego development and obsessive compulsive neurosis.

Precocious ego development is frequently mentioned in psychoanalytic theory as an important determinant of obsessive-compulsive neurosis. Writers such as Anna Freud suggest that an imbalance in the development of ego over drive may lead to obsessional neurosis. However, further examination of the psychoanalytic literature reveals that the nature of this supposed link is not clear. Explanations couched in economic language or in terms of an early hypersensitivity to stimulation are open to theoretical criticism or are unsatisfying. The author suggests that we focus on the effect of precocious ego development on developing object relations. It is suggested that precocity may lead to early disappointment in parental objects. The inter-relationships of disappointment with early identifications, premature sense of autonomy and anal problems are discussed. A case of an obsessive-compulsive adolescent girl is presented to illustrate the role of precocious ego development and superior intelligence in the formation of the symptoms.

Adolescent↗