Schreber and Rena
Michael Eigen
Routledge eBooks May 30, 2018 DOI: 10.4324/9780429482977-7 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that comparing Freud's psychotic patient Schreber, who wished to be a woman, with a contemporary psychotic woman from the author's practice yields fruitful parallels and contrasts for understanding psychotic experience and its implications for being human, and proposes translating the book's phenomenological work into clinical interventions. |
Abstract
IN THIS CHAPTER, we will explore selected aspects of two cases in some detail. The first is Freud&s;s Schreber case, 1 the other is drawn from my clinical practice, Schreber is one of Freud&s;s great case portrayals, one of the writings in which Freud transforms case study into a new genre. It not only explores a clinical entity, but it also seems to illuminate and stretch the human experience. My own case is more modest, but has the advantage of being mine. I believe that the comparison of the psychotic Schreber who wished to be a woman, and a contemporary psychotic woman, may offer some fruitful parallels and contrasts. In addition to the more general goal of exploring psychotic experience and its implications for what it means to be a human being, this chapter suggests transformations for the phenomenological work of this book into clinical interventions.