Ambiguity

Abstract

During a session with her psychiatrist, a schizophrenic patient became involved in a discussion about her relationship with her father. She described a strong bond with him, and at one point employed a metaphor about this bond that was common to her ethnic group. “Me and my father, we’re both of the same blood,” she said. For most of us, this metaphor refers to the commonality of ideas and feelings found in close family members. Not so this patient, or so it seemed.