Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): An affect‐processing and thought disorder?

Gunter, Michael M.

doi:10.1111/1745-8315.12081

Cited by 13 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…In other words, the patient becomes more able to hear and use an interpretation" (Bernstein 2010, p. 34). This process of preparation of narcissistic patients has been described in various ways by Modell (1976), Goldberg (1989Goldberg ( , 2012, Bernstein (2010), andGunter (2014).…”

Section: O N F U S I O N I N T H E C O U N T E R T R a N S F E R E N C Ementioning

confidence: 99%

When the Analytic Patient has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Bernstein¹

2015

J Am Psychoanal Assoc

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Most analysts are now treating or can expect to treat adult patients with cognitive deficits such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), based on the prevalence of this syndrome in children and its continuation into adulthood. ADHD is a cognitive disorder considered by nonanalytic and analytic writers to be a dysfunction of affect regulation and behavioral inhibition. Analysis deals with these issues, and most analytic theories address affect regulation. Manifestations of ADHD can mimic the clinical expression of intrapsychic conflict, in which the cognitive deficits are embedded. If these symptoms are interpreted primarily as transference resistances without acknowledging the cognitive contribution, the patient may experience a resurgence of feeling misunderstood and shamed, helpless and defective. Confusion in the countertransference is a hallmark of analyses in which cognitive deficits are intertwined with psychic conflict, sometimes leading the analyst to compartmentalize the cognitive and the conflictual and to miss aspects of the patient and the process. Appropriate action within the analytic frame may be needed to help the patient seek information, specialists, or coaches to deal with limitations in executive functioning. A variety of technical considerations and confusions in the countertransference are illustrated.

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Section: O N F U S I O N I N T H E C O U N T E R T R a N S F E R E N C Ementioning

confidence: 99%

When the Analytic Patient has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Bernstein¹

2015

J Am Psychoanal Assoc

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“…This is because we find that his conceptualization builds a bridge between neurological–physical factors and mental–emotional ones. In the following section, we describe emotional, cognitive, and behavioral difficulties common in ADHD, and the ways in which the impairment of the alpha-function can disrupt and impair the development of mental functions and psychic structures (Günter, 2014; Jones & Allison, 2010; Salomonsson, 2004).…”

Section: Bion’s Alpha-function and Its Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There is a tendency to be overwhelmed by aggressive and sexual drives, by envy, and a difficulty in controlling these. Primitive defenses may be utilized: projection, denial, evacuation, and massive projective identification (Ando et al, 2019; Bartell & Solanto, 1995; Conway, 2012, 2015; Cotugno, 1995; Davis, 2009; Gilmore, 2000, 2002; Günter, 2014; Harris, 2007; Kutz, 2006; Levin, 2002; Rainwater, 2007; Sagvolden et al, 2005; Salomonsson, 2004, 2011; Soles, 2005). Massive impairment of executive function : Among other things, this impairment may affect emotional, cognitive, and behavioral regulation and the internalization of motoric and mental actions and sequences.…”

Section: Bion’s Alpha-function and Its Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bion’s alpha-function as a key for understanding emotional problems in ADHD.

Yudilevich¹,

BenEliahu²

2022

Psychoanalytic Psychology

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This article discusses the attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) syndrome in children, from a regulation-based perspective, as a neurodevelopmental deficiency that develops into mental difficulties. Based on research indicating the existence of early markers to ADHD, we propose that the neurodevelopmental difficulty creates certain characteristics in the mother-infant/toddler relationship. We propose the term "mental sustaining" to describe the capacity to delay response in order to allow stimuli to be perceived and absorbed internally. In children with ADHD, the neurodevelopmental impairment of the regulatory function hinders the capacity for "mental sustaining," potentially creating a vicious cycle in the child's relations with its caretakers. We draw on the thinking of Wilfred Bion, proposing that this vicious cycle might affect the quality of the internalization of alpha-function in a manner that results in various functional deficiencies. Three such deficiencies prominent in children diagnosed with ADHD are discussed in light of Bion's theory: the proclivity for idiosyncratic interpretations of reality; difficulty in automation of mental and motoric actions; and a tendency for excessive need for material gratification (the "bottomless pit" phenomenon). This article wishes to join the contemporary literature that understands children with ADHD from an inclusive theoretical perspective that links neurodevelopmental and psychoanalytic approaches. We propose a psychoanalytic understanding of this neurodevelopmental syndrome relying on Bion's concepts. The contribution of this article to existing psychoanalytic literature lies in its description and discussion of psychic mechanisms that are part of the characteristic psychic landscape of children with ADHD, as well as the presentation of potential etiologies of these mechanisms.

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“…In Günter’s (2014) comprehensive review of analytic models of ADHD, he brings out three perspectives . One is to view symptoms as “defence formations against early traumatic experiences which the infantile ego was unable to process and integrate” (p.46).…”

Section: Psychoanalytic Conceptualizations Of Adhdmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interpreting the inner world of ADHD children: psychoanalytic perspectives

Salomonsson

2017

International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well

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ADHD is increasingly seen as associated with cerebral dysfunction and caused by it. This development is concomitant with an emphasis on medication, behavioural treatments, and parent training programmes. In contrast, psychoanalytic therapy has receded into the background and is often viewed as inefficient or even noxious. This paper argues that such views are based on a misunderstanding of the scope of psychotherapy. Though much more systematic research is needed to establish its efficacy, it can inform on the ADHD child’s emotional experiences. It can shed light on the connections between his/her inner world and symptoms, such as attention deficits, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. On the other hand, it cannot establish causality in the individual or general case. If we recall that the diagnosis is based on a list of symptoms, not of etiology, we realize that this limitation applies to any scientific perspective on ADHD. Psychoanalytic treatment is one of several approaches to understanding ADHD and helping the child cope with it. This is achieved by the psychoanalytic method, a hermeneutic approach with which the analyst interprets the child’s behaviours and communications as they emerge in the session. The implications of such an approach are discussed.

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Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): An affect‐processing and thought disorder?

Cited by 13 publications

References 38 publications

When the Analytic Patient has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

When the Analytic Patient has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Bion’s alpha-function as a key for understanding emotional problems in ADHD.

Interpreting the inner world of ADHD children: psychoanalytic perspectives

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