Atwood - The abyss of madness

I wish to thank first of all my wife, Liz Atwood, who has encouraged me to write a book such as this one for many years, and who gave support and love at every stage in its completion. I am indebted as well to my daughter, Rebecca Atwood, who after reading early chapters of the manuscript gave penetrating criticism and wonderful advice that have been incorporated into its final form. And in addition, I want to acknowledge the contribution of my son, Christopher Atwood, who was the first to tell me, with great emphasis, that I should convert some informal essays I had written for my students into a book for a wider audience.

A great many students, colleagues, and friends have also helped me in manifold ways in completing this work, giving generously of their time and energy and offering valuable suggestions. I thank them all from the bottom of my heart.

Some of the chapters in the book are revisions of articles published in various journals:

Chapter 1 appeared in Pragmatic Case Studies in Psychotherapy (2011, ).

Chapters 2 and 3 are revisions of papers that were published in International Journal of Psychoanalytic Self Psychology (2010, (3), pp. 334356; 2011, (1), pp. 99112; 2011, (2), pp. 16; 2011, (3), pp. 19; 2011, (4).

Chapter 4 is a rewritten version of a paper appearing in Annual of Psychoanalysis (2010/2011, 37/38 , pp. 205220).

Chapter 9 is a revision of a paper published originally in Psychoanalytic Review (2011, (3), pp. 263285).

I thank the editors of these journals for their permission to reprint the various articles. I am also grateful to the estate of Martin Ramirez for granting permission to use one of this artists images for which it holds the copyright.

Like its counterpart, Psychoanalytic Inquiry: A Topical Journal for Mental Health Professionals , the Psychoanalytic Inquiry Book Series presents a diversity of subjects within a diversity of approaches to those subjects. Under the editorship of Joseph Lichtenberg, in collaboration with Melvin Bornstein and the editorial board of Psychoanalytic Inquiry , the volumes in this series strike a balance between research, theory, and clinical application. We are honored to have published the works of various innovators in psychoanalysis, such as Frank Lachmann, James Fosshage, Robert Stolorow, Donna Orange, Louis Sander, Lon Wurmser, James Grotstein, Joseph Jones, Doris Brothers, Fredric Busch, and Joseph Lichtenberg, among others.

The series includes books and monographs on mainline psychoanalytic topics, such as sexuality, narcissism, trauma, homosexuality, jealousy, envy, and varied aspects of analytic process and technique. In our efforts to broaden the field of analytic interest, the series has incorporated and embraced innovative discoveries in infant research, self psychology, intersubjectivity, motivational systems, affects as process, responses to cancer, borderline states, contextualism, postmodernism, attachment research and theory, medication, and mentalization. As further investigations in psychoanalysis come to fruition, we seek to present them in readable, easily comprehensible writing.

After 25 years, the core vision of this series remains the investigation, analysis, and discussion of developments on the cutting edge of the psychoanalytic field, inspired by a boundless spirit of inquiry.

Vol. 37

The Abyss of Madness

George E. Atwood

Vol. 36

Manual of Panic Focused Psychodynamic

Psychotherapy eXtended Range

Fredric N. Busch, Barbara L. Milrod,

Meriamne B. Singer, & Andrew C. Aronson

Vol. 35

World, Affectivity, Trauma:

Heidegger and Post-Cartesian Psychoanalysis

Robert D. Stolorow

Vol. 34

Change in Psychoanalysis:

An Analysts Reflections on the
Therapeutic Relationship

Chris Jaenicke

Vol. 33

Psychoanalysis and Motivational Systems:

A New Look

Joseph D. Lichtenberg, Frank M. Lachmann,
& James L. Fosshage

Vol. 32

Persons in Context:

The Challenge of Individuality

in Theory and Practice

Roger Frie & William J. Coburn (eds.)

Vol. 31

Toward an Emancipatory Psychoanalysis:

Brandchafts Intersubjective Vision

Bernard Brandchaft, Shelley Doctors,

& Dorienne Sorter

Vol. 30

From Psychoanalytic Narrative to Empirical
Single Case Research:

Implications for Psychoanalytic Practice

Horst Kchele, Joseph Schachter, Helmut
Thom, & the Ulm Psychoanalytic
Process Research Study Group

Vol. 29

Mentalization:

Theoretical Considerations, Research
Findings, and Clinical Implications

Fredric N. Busch (ed.)

Vol. 28

Transforming Narcissism:

Reflections on Empathy, Humor, and
Expectations

Frank M. Lachmann

Vol. 27

Toward a Psychology of Uncertainty: Trauma
Centered Psychoanalysis

Doris Brothers

Vol. 26

Living Systems, Evolving Consciousness, and
the Emerging Person: A Selection of Papers
from the Life Work of

Louis Sander

Gherardo Amadei & Ilaria Bianchi (eds.)

Vol. 25

Sensuality and Sexuality Across the Divide of
Shame

Joseph D. Lichtenberg

Vol. 24

Jealousy and Envy:

New Views about Two Powerful Feelings

Lon Wurmser & Heidrun Jarass (eds.)

Vol. 23

Trauma and Human Existence:

Autobiographical, Psychoanalytic, and
Philosophical Reflections

Robert D. Stolorow

Vol. 22

Psychotherapy and Medication:

The Challenge of Integration

Fredric N. Busch & Larry S. Sandberg

Vol. 21

Attachment and Sexuality

Diana Diamond, Sidney J. Blatt,

& Joseph D. Lichtenberg (eds.)

Vol. 20

Craft & Spirit:

A Guide to the Exploratory Psychotherapies

Joseph D. Lichenberg

Vol. 19

A Spirity of Inquiry:

Communication in Psychoanalysis

Joseph D. Lichtenberg, Frank M. Lachmann,
& James L. Fosshage

Vol. 18

Kohut, Loewald, and the Postmoderns:

A Comparative Study of Self and Relationship

Judith Guss Teicholz

Vol. 17

Working Intersubjectively:

Contextualism in Psychoanalytic Practice

Donna M. Orange, George E. Atwood,

& Robert D. Stolorow

Vol. 16

The Clinical Exchange:

Techniques Derived from Self and Motivational Systems

Joseph D. Lichtenberg, Frank M. Lachmann,
& James L. Fosshage

Vol. 14

Affects as Process:

An Inquiry into the Centrality

of Affect in Psychological Life

Joseph M. Jones

Vol. 13

Self and Motivational Systems:

Toward a Theory of Psychoanalytic Technique

Joseph D. Lichtenberg, Frank M. Lachmann,
& James L. Fosshage

Vol. 12

Contexts of Being:

The Intersubjective Foundations of
Psychological Life

Robert D. Stolorow & George E. Atwood

Vol. 10

Psychoanalysis and Motivation

Joseph D. Lichtenberg

Vol. 8

Psychoanalytic Treatment:

An Intersubjective Approach

Robert D. Stolorow, Bernard Brandchaft, &
George E. Atwood

Vol. 2

Psychoanalysis and Infant Research

Joseph D. Lichtenberg

Out of Print titles in the PI Series

Vol. 15

Understanding Therapeutic Action:

Psychodynamic Concepts of Cure

Lawrence E. Lifson (ed.)

Vol. 11

Cancer Stories: Creativity and Self-Repair