The application of Davanloo's Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy to a complex masochistic patient with panic, functional and somatization disorders: from the “frying pan” into freedom. Part II

Abstract

This is the second paper in a three-part article which illustrates the application of Davanloo's technique of Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (IS-TDP) to a complex masochistic patient with panic, functional and somatization disorders. Part II presents the mid-phases of an initial diagnostic interview of the same patient presented in Part 1. Vignettes of dialogue from the case transcript demonstrate how the IS-TDP clinician works with the forces in the patient's unconscious in order to achieve direct access to the psychopathological dynamic forces responsible for his symptom and character disturbances. In these mid-phases, special emphasis is given to interventions directed towards the patient's masochistic character defenses in order to achieve the crystallization of the resistance in the transference, the partial unlocking of the unconscious and the driving home of insight during analysis of transference. A discussion follows which underscores the role that the superego plays in creating the patient's perpetual self-destructiveness, and the unique manner in which IS-TDP undoes the negative repetition-compulsion. The remainder of the interview is presented in Part III of the article. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.