Beyond decathexis: Toward a new psychoanalytic understanding and treatment of mourning.

Abstract

This paper is a contribution to the sea change that is occurring in our culture's view of bereavement and mourning. Across disciplines, clinicians and researchers are questioning many of the assumptions that have influenced our conceptualizations about mourning over the past 80 years. Given that psychoanalysis has played a central role in the development of modern mourning theory (Rando, 1993;Parkes, 1981;Jacobs, 1993), a review of the current status of analytic thinking in this area is called for. This paper examines recent developments in the psychoanalytic theory and treatment of bereavement, mourning and grief. I will show how some contemporary analysts have proposed changes in the psychoanalytic model of mourning, which echo many of the points made by other disciplines. I will begin with a brief overview of the standard psychoanalytic model of mourning, which was based primarily on Freud's early metapsychological theories, and more specifically, on his paper Mourning, and Melancholia of 1915. Following this, I will discuss a number of recent critiques of the standard model as well as some proposals for its revision. These critiques target the asocial, intrapsychic nature of the standard model and its failure to address the full complexity of mourning reactions. I will then suggest an outline of a new psychoanalytic model of mourning that appears to be emerging from the current debate. In closing, I will discuss a case report that illustrates the implications of the new model of mourning for clinical practice. 3 Literature ReviewThis section will examine the major writings that have contributed significantly to what has been referred to as the standard psychoanalytic model of mourning. (Hagman, 1995) Firstly I do not believe that the analytic mourning literature is homogenous and without valuable deviations from the norm. However, what seems to be the case is that there has been a model that has dominated psychoanalytic thinking and practice since Freud originally outlined the basic components of his mourning theory in 1915. We will be concerned with the origin and development of that standard model.Freud's writings about mourning are few in number, as well as extremely brief, which is surprising when one considers the importance of the subject. They consist of several scattered references most of which are notes included in papers devoted to other subjects. Freud's most sustained discussion of mourning was in his 1915 paper Mourning and Melancholia. It was there that Freud first delineated the framework of what would become the standard model of mourning. However, that is not to say that Freud's intended to promulgate a standard model. Erna Furman (1974) argued that Freud's purpose might have been only to set up a model situation to explore the dynamics of narcissism and melancholia. Furman claimed that it was misleading to assume that Freud intended to portray 'actual mourning processes in their full clinical complexity.' (Pp. 241 -242) Nonetheless, analysts after Freud would grant truth status to Fr...

The experience of internal and external supporting objects from the perspective of six young women who have lost a parent to cancer- An interpretative phenomenological analysis

“…This contradicts the more traditional theories of grief, which suggest that the child must relieve the relationship to the deceased parent of emotional energy [29,30]. It is thought that the internal construction of the parent provides the child with support and facilitates how they manage grief.…”

Therapeutic interventions for bereavement: Learning from Ugandan therapists

“…Freud (1917) instituted the conceptualisation of the self in terms of intra-psychic forces; a perception of the task of the bereaved to undergo a journey of adjustment or reformulation of the self; and a belief in the therapeutic value of the alliance between counsellor and client. A review of post-Freudian theories suggests that Freud's conceptualisation of grieving has undergone transformative change (Hagman, 2001). However, Freud's influences remain strong, and many post-Freudian theories and models of grief, including those of Worden, are premised on a staged process of grief, and a conception of self which is deeply rooted in western notions of individualisation and reflexive introspection (Hagman, 2001).…”

“…A review of post-Freudian theories suggests that Freud's conceptualisation of grieving has undergone transformative change (Hagman, 2001). However, Freud's influences remain strong, and many post-Freudian theories and models of grief, including those of Worden, are premised on a staged process of grief, and a conception of self which is deeply rooted in western notions of individualisation and reflexive introspection (Hagman, 2001). …”

Om å leve med et barn som ikke lenger er i live. En fenomenologisk deskriptiv studie

“…1 -2010, 6. årgang __________________________________________________________________________________________ Forståelsen av sorg har gjennomgått store endringer i løpet av de siste tiårene (Davies 2004, Parkes 2001. Freuds betydningsfulle artikkel fra 1917 "Sorg og melankoli" (Freud 1917(Freud /1963) dannet utgangspunktet for standardmodellen for sorg (Hagman 2001). De første toneangivende teoriene etter Freud ga uttrykk for at sorg har et universelt forløp med bestemte faser og reaksjoner, og de hadde en uttrykt målsetting om at båndene til den døde skulle brytes før sorgarbeidet etter en tid skulle vaere avsluttet (ibid.).…”