Commentary‐Ready for departure?

Killingmo, Bjørn

doi:10.1516/0l6v-eu65-r7pk-fgqg

Cited by 9 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 0 publications

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“…As a result, the application of the theory of the true and false self has been associated with therapeutic presentations that involve deficit pathology. Whereby the psychic injury has been caused by a failure of, 'the object not being emotionally responsive in a phase-adequate way to the developmental needs of the child' (Killingmo, 1989). Symptoms of conversion and wider somatoform disorders have on the other hand tended to be interpreted almost exclusively through the more classical prism of unconscious conflict.…”

Section: Understanding the False Selfmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The therapeutic challenge, in this client group, therefore, becomes about ‘experiencing meaning’ (Killingmo, 1989) rather than interpretations with a focus on conflict. Being heard and seen becomes central to the therapeutic process, providing the client an opportunity to confront the painful reality of their unmet needs, in a safe and holding environment not afforded to them in childhood.…”

Section: Therapeutic Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…He went on to give suggestions as to the appropriate therapeutic interventions as well, in the form of 'empathic approximations' and aiming at 'condensation and compromise formations instead of problem-solving' (Kohut, 1959). This therapeutic approach is of course in line with the affirming and empathic approach, that is considered appropriate for meeting deficit pathology (Killingmo, 1989). Early childhood trauma and its role in somatization is also well established.…”

Section: Understanding Somatization As a Deficit Pathologymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Understanding Somatization through the Prism of Deficit Pathology and Winnicott's False Self

McGovern¹

2023

Brit J Psychotherapy

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In this article, the author investigates the wide variation in historical and contemporary understandings of somatization. The article explores the rewards of understanding somatization as a deficit pathology and proposes an integration of deficit pathology theory and Winnicott's theory of self to better understand the causes of somatization. The author postulates a link between the formation of a pathological false self and somatoform symptoms and draws on Killingmo's description of conflict and deficit pathology to integrate the defensive organization (false self) with the concept of deficit. The false self is conceptualized as a defensive organization that is born in a climate of deficit, including early childhood trauma. Therapeutic implications include a focus on experiencing meaning, working with alexithymia, and providing the client an opportunity to confront the painful reality of their unmet needs, in a safe and holding environment not afforded to them in childhood. The author outlines the therapeutic goal of moving toward a renewed sense of 'equilibrium of self', where a person can freely and safely demonstrate vulnerability as well as meet their own needs. This in turn works to reduce the need for the protection of a pathological false self and the tightly bound somatoform symptomatology.

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Section: Understanding the False Selfmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Therapeutic Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Understanding Somatization As a Deficit Pathologymentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Understanding Somatization through the Prism of Deficit Pathology and Winnicott's False Self

McGovern¹

2023

Brit J Psychotherapy

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“…I psykoanalytisk tenkning vil man vaere oppmerksom på pasientens ordvalg og trekk ved overføringen som tilgang til informasjon om ut vik lings messig sårbarhet og grad av kumulativ belastning. Killingmo (1989) skriver om hvordan terapeuten kan vurdere om klinisk materiale er uttrykk for indre konflikt eller mangel, noe som igjen kan ha betydning for om pasienten vil ha mest nytte av henholdsvis fortolkende eller mer bekreftende intervensjoner på et gitt tidspunkt i dialogen. 12 Amir (2019) har via analyse av vitnesbyrd fra traumeoverlevere identifisert ulike diskurser som beskriver i hvilken grad traumatisk opplevelse er representert i ord og bearbeidet.…”

Section: Hun Er Meg Og Jeg Er Henneunclassified

“…Evnen til å differensiere seg fra psykisk smerte og finne språk for den vil variere. Oppmerksomhet på mer subtile variasjoner i språklig diskurs vil kunne ha sentrale kliniske implikasjoner, for eksempel når det gjelder om pasienten har nytte av utforskende eller bekreftende intervensjoner (Killingmo, 1989).…”

Section: Mellom å Vite Og Ikke Vite -En Oppsummeringunclassified