Contempt and self-contempt

Clinical material characterized by devaluation of the analyst will be used to illustrate the classical narcissistic mechanism: grandiosity and contempt as a defense against feelings of inferiority, shame and dependency. The analysand's asocial behavior is related to this narcissistic dynamics and to the question of relative degree of split-off guilt and structural deficit. Technical problems connected to asocial behavior will also be considered. Finally, the holding function of the analytic setting and its importance to mental growth is dealt with.