Abstract
In this article, the author analyzes an event from her family history in its intrasubjective, intersubjective and transsubjective dimensions. In the intrasubjective dimension, the onset of a psychosomatic symptom is seen to express difficulty in effecting a psychic process of working through and the pain related to the original event. In the intersubjective dimension, the family's communication processes are seen as making use of a broad range of language patterns that oscillate between symbolic resources, concrete action, and even somatic manifestations. In the transsubjective dimension, the importance of the meanings given to the event in the socio-cultural context is stressed.
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Notes
I will not enter here into a discussion of the concept of ‘family myth’, but for those interested in exploring this topic more deeply, I refer you to Ferreira (1974).
On the psychopathology of shame, I suggest the work of Pierre Benghozi (2000) for example, who demonstrates that shame is an impediment to speaking about traumatic events in the family, especially those which happen during disasters involving extreme violence and humiliation.
References
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This is a revised version of a chapter, translated from the original Portuguese, titled ‘Algumas letras sobre familia, lentilhas e aftas’ (Mandelbaum, 2008). It appears here by the kind permission of Casa do Psicólogo.
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Mandelbaum, B. Some thoughts on families, lentils and thrush. Psychoanal Cult Soc 16, 132–141 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1057/pcs.2010.8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/pcs.2010.8