Abstract

The authors present a metapsychological conception of hypochondria. Following Freud, they contrast the complaints of the hypochondriac with the belle indifférence of the hysteric, and they then inquire into the heuristic value of hypochondria as an actual neurosis; this leads them to a consideration of psychosomatic illness and the importance of the object cathexis in hypochondriacal anxiety. In the development of Freud's theory of the drives, the explanatory concept of the damming up of ego libido proves insufficient and has to be coupled with the notion of primary erotogenic masochism: from this point of view, hypochondria can be seen as a form of binding which thus distinguishes it from other somatic outcomes. On the basis of three case histories, the authors endeavour to show hypochondriacal anxiety not only as a pathological process but also as a type of necessary minimum cathexis of the body; this leads to the idea of hypochondria as psychical work.

Authors

Aisenstein M, Gibeault A

Source

The International journal of psycho-analysis 72 ( Pt 4): 1991 pg 669-81

MeSH

Adult
Conversion Disorder
Dreams
Drive
Female
Humans
Hypochondriasis
Male
Middle Aged
Psychoanalytic Interpretation
Psychoanalytic Theory
Psychoanalytic Therapy
Sick Role

Pub Type(s)

Case Reports
Journal Article

Language

eng

PubMed ID

1797720