IPA Inter-Regional Encyclopedic Dictionary of Psychoanalysis

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contemporary studies of Latin American contributions on the symbolization processes (Cassorla, 2001, 2005, 2009; Sanchez Grillo, 2004; Sapisochin 2007, 2013; Gus 2007; Paz, 2007; Borensztejn, 2009; Rocha, 2009; Schreck, 2011).

IV. CONTEMPORARY DEVELOPMENTS AND USES OF THE CONCEPT IN THE AMERICAS AND IN EUROPE

IV. A. Latin America: Developments and Clinical Relevance Clinical situations like enactment s, described in the literature, generally indicate some action or abrupt behavior that has made the analyst feel he has lost his analytical function. For example, he might be surprised to realize that he has behaved ironically, aggressively or seductively. Or he might notice that he is uninterested or that he ended a session before the scheduled time, or extended it. He may realize he has become overly fascinated by the patient’s interesting stories, or has been arguing with the patient. In these cases, he notices that his analytical capacity has been impaired and so he feels embarrassed and guilty. Later the analyst may realize he was identifying with aspects projected by the patient. Specifically, these phenomena should be referred to as acute enactments (Cassorla, 2001). Sometimes the analyst’s behavior is more apparent than that of the patient. The term countertransferential enactment is used to refer to the analyst’s behavior. Cassorla (2005, 2008, 2012, 2013) studying borderline configurations shows that, before acute enactment occurred, the analytical dyad had already set up long, drawn-out dual collusions where patient and analyst became indiscriminate from one another. Such symbiotized dyads exhibit behavior similar to theatrical performances or mimicking (Sapisochin, 2013), and this type of behavior is termed chronic enactment. Neither member of the dyad realizes what is taking place and, when they do, it is shortly after the occurrence and realization of an acute enactment. The study of the sequence: chronic enactment (unperceived) -> acute enactment (perceived) -> realization of the chronic enactment that had occurred – provides a description of a type of natural history of the analytical process when one is working in areas where the process of symbolization is impaired. Clinical facts uncover defensive organizations that avoid the perception of triangular reality, experienced as traumatic. Clinical experience shows the following sequence: Phase 1 . The analyst knows that he is dealing with a patient who is difficult to access and who attacks the analytical process and subverts it. However, it is certain that, with patience and perseverance, the difficulties will be understood. Moment M : At a given point the analyst surprises himself by making an intervention or committing an act, usually impulsive, which embarrasses him, makes him feel guilty and gives

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