Most people have some idea of the meaning of the words sadism and masochism, but often this does not go beyond rather vague ideas of either inflicting or enjoying pain. Few people ask themselves what is behind such behaviour, and this applies even to healthcare professionals and therapists. Using non-technical language, accessible for both the professional and layman, this book attempts to give a clear picture of the underlying pathology of sadomasochism, its effects, and how it can be treated. It also examines other key psychological defence mechanisms such as hysteria and projective identification - and looks at their relationship to sadomasochism. The author draws on many years experience of working with children and families in education, as well as nearly thirty years of analytical practice, in order to give insight into the underlying dynamics. From his clinical experience, he has come to the conclusion that sadomasochistic pathology is a far more widespread and serious problem than is generally recognised. This book uses detailed case material to examine the way in which the problem interferes with relationships and emotional growth in the individual's everyday life, and how this has profound effects on society as a whole --
Includes bibliographical references (pages 269-271) and index.
Processing Action (note)
committed to retain
Contents
Part I Clinical Issues -- Chapter 1 Control and helplessness 3 -- Chapter 2 The core problem: from subversion to perversion 9 -- Chapter 3 Infantile and adult sexuality 13 -- Chapter 4 Mothering and the parental couple 19 -- Chapter 5 Pornography and masturbation: the virtual world 27 -- Chapter 6 The avoidance of feeling 33 -- Chapter 7 Projective identification and the claustrum 45 -- Chapter 8 Sexuality and perversion 59 -- Chapter 9 Masochism and the emotional orphan 75 -- Chapter 10 Romantic agony 87 -- Chapter 11 Hysteria and sadomasochism 103 -- Chapter 12 Exhibitionism and voyeurism 109 -- Part II Social Manifestations -- Chapter 13 Symbolisation and concrete thinking 117 -- Chapter 14 Basic assumption thinking and tribal mentality 129 -- Chapter 15 Perversely religious and religiously perverse 147 -- Chapter 16 Evangelical atheism 167 -- Chapter 17 Feminism and the phallic Trojan horse 177 -- Chapter 18 A child is being murdered 189 -- Chapter 19 The everlasting baby and the parasite 203 -- Chapter 20 From victim and blame to a saner society 209 -- Part III Case Histories -- Chapter 21 Abigail: survival through invisibility 219 -- Chapter 22 Judy and Maria: vendettas against the parent/analyst 225 -- Chapter 23 Damien: student drop-out and would-be professional psychiatric patient 237 -- Chapter 24 Kelly: a case of courage in the face of perversity 243 -- Chapter 25 Mark: the battered husband 251 -- Chapter 26 Peter and Jim: the black hole of the psyche 259.