The Hypothesis of Psychic Antibodies

This paper explores the author’s clinical work with a young boy between the ages of four and eleven. The author postulates that there are, in addition to “defenses of the self” that develop in a pathological, indeed, toxic way to isolate the child by alienating others and making the child emotionally sick, healthier defenses of the self, which are described as image-producing antibodies that work to undo the toxic effects of morbid defenses. These healthy defenses of the developing self are called psychic antibodies. The author presents his hypothesis of the psychic immune system and its functioning based on his work with “Willy,” using, as further empirical evidence, a brief history of Willy’s birth, infancy, and early childhood, four sandplays, and seven dreams

Developmental psychology · Pathology · Psychic · Psychoanalysis · Sick child · Educational Philosophies and Pedagogies · Medicine · Psychoanalysis and Social Critique · Psychology · Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications · Pediatrics

• Introducing Not‐Self 1

  Open Access•Laura Stein•Journal of Analytical Psychology•1967

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• Defences of the Self

  Open Access•Michael Fordham•Journal of Analytical Psychology•1974

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