PubMed · 12639260
The relationship between psychoanalysis and schizophrenia.
Abstract
In this article, the author considers psychoanalysts' current attitudes towards schizophrenia. After early optimism of a psychoanalytic approach, interest has waned, other than in the field of first-onset psychosis. This was because of poor outcome figures and regarding schizophrenia as now having a biological, rather than psychological, base. The author argues that there is a paradox, because only psychoanalysis offers a framework for relating to psychotic patients in a way that helps them to make sense of their experiences. A framework is described, with clinical examples, to illustrate the application of analytic thinking to patients with schizophrenia. Psychoanalysis needs to revitalize its attitude to psychosis, as it has a significant contribution to make within general psychiatry, not least in the training of the next generation of psychiatrists.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
Explore connections, maps & timelines
Richard Lucas. 2003. The relationship between psychoanalysis and schizophrenia.. https://doi.org/10.1516/00207570360509439
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.