Transference Neurosis as A Waking Dream: Notes on A Clinical Enigma

Abstract

This paper demonstrates clinically that the interactional features of a transference neurosis are the waking equivalents of a manifest dream. Through analytic investigation of the emerging repetitive extraverbal elements of apparent transference resistance behavior, it is discovered that the systematic analysis of the details of such behavior yields a picture of synthetic construction fundamentally the same as that seen in dreams. By using Freud's technique of systematic dream interpretation, the tightly organized, coded, and camouflaged presence of many key compromise formations determining a neurosis are found to be represented in compact, highly condensed clinical interactions, providing an overall picture of dreamwork in action. The four components of dreamwork are found to be the principal means by which the unconscious genetic and dynamic material is represented in the analytic field.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Arlow, J. A. (1984). The psychoanalytic process in regard to the development of transference and interpretation. In Psychoanalysis: The Vital Issues, Vol. 2, ed. G. H. Pollock & J. E. Gedo . New York: Int. Univ. Press, pp. 21–44.

Bird, B. (1972). Notes on transference: universal phenomenon and hardest part of the analysis. J. Amer. Psychoanal. Assn., 20:267–301.

Blum, H. P. (1971). On the conception and development of the transference neurosis. J. Amer. Psychoanal. Assn., 19:41–53.

Brenner, C. (1982). The Mind in Conflict. New York: Int. Univ. Press.

Breuer, J. & Freud, S. (1895). Studies on hysteria. S. E., 2.

Calef, V. (1971). On the curent concept of the transference neurosis: introduction; concluding remarks. J. Amer. Psychoanal. Assn., 19:22–25., 89–97.

Freud, A. (1965). Normality and Pathology in Childhood. Writings, 6. New York: Int. Univ. Press.

Freud, S. (1897). The Origins of Psychoanalysis. Letters to Wilhelm Fliess. New York: Basic Books, 1954.

Freud, S. (1900). The interpretation of dreams. S. E., 4 & 5.

10.

Freud, S. (1901). The psychopathology of everyday life. S. E., 6.

11.

Freud, S. (1905a). Fragment of an analysis of a case of hysteria. S. E., 7.

12.

Freud, S. (1905b). Jokes and their relation to the unconscious. S. E., 8.

13.

Freud, S. (1912). Recommendations to physicians practising psycho-analysis. S. E., 12.

14.

Freud, S. (1914). Remembering, repeating and working through. S. E., 12.

15.

Freud, S. (1923). A short account of psycho-analysis. S. E., 19.

16.

Freud, S. (1937). Analysis terminable and interminable. S. E., 23.

17.

Freud, S. (1940). An outline of psycho-analysis. S. E., 23.

18.

Greenacre, P. (1959). Certain technical problems in the transference relationship. J. Amer. Psychoanal. Assn., 19:484–502.

19.

Harley, M. (1971). The current status of transference neurosis in children. J. Amer. Psychoanal. Assn., 19:26–40.

20.

Kanzer, M. (1958). Image formation during free association. Psychoanal. Q., 27:465–484.

21.

Kanzer, M. (1961). Verbal and nonverbal aspects of free association. Psychoanal. Q., 30:327–350.

22.

Kepecs, J . (1966). Theories of transference neurosis. Psychoanal. Q., 35:497–521.

23.

Kern, J. (1978). Countertransference and spontaneous screens: an analyst atudies his own visual images, J. Amer. Psychoanal. Assn., 26:21–49.

24.

Kris, A. (1982). Free Association. New Haven: Yale Univ. Press.

25.

Lester, E. (1983). Separation-individuation and cognition. J. Amer. Psychoanal. Assn., 31:127–156.

26.

Lewin., B. D. (1955). Dream psychology and the analytic situation. Psychoanal. Q., 24:169–199.

27.

Loewald, H. (1971). The transference neurosis: comments on the concept and the phenomenon. J. Amer. Psychoanal. Assn., 19:54–66.

28.

Meissner, W. W. (1981). Internalization in Psychoanalysis. New York: Int. Univ. Press.

29.

Rangell, L. (1954). Similarities and differences between psychoanalysis and dynamic psychotherapy. J. Amer. Psychoanal. Assn., 2:734–744.

30.

Rangell, L. (1983). Defense and resistance in psychoanalysis and life. J. Amer. Psychoanal. Assn., 31:147–174.

31.

Sandler, J. (1976). Countertransference and role responsiveness. Int. Rev. Psychoanal., 3:43–47.

32.

Stone, L. (1961). The Psychoanalytic Situation. New York: Int. Univ. Press.

33.

Waelder, R. (1962). Psychoanalysis, scientific method, and philosophy. J. Amer. Psychoanal. Assn., 10:617–637.

34.

Weinshel., E. (1971). The transference neurosis. J. Amer. Psychoanal. Assn., 19:67–88.

35.

Winnicott, D. W. (1971). Playing and Reality. New York: Basic Books.

36.

Zetzel, E. (1956). Current concepts of transference. Int. J. Psychoanal., 37:369–375.