ABSTRACT
The presence of autistic residuals in adult patients poses several difficulties in conducting the therapeutic process: having partially reached a development that has allowed these patients to have a functioning social life, they cannot accept their need to ask for help on a personal level.
The lack of a process of symbolization hinders the development of personal individuation. Many authors have described the persistence of repetitive autistic manoeuvres aimed at avoiding depression or the shame of the depressive phase. Other obstacles that can be found are: the protective autistic armour, which can be represented by persistent anxiety and impedes any form of progress; psychosomatic disorders that annihilate the process of mental development; and the resort to external addictions.
For the analyst, patience means being able to contain constant attacks and fixed themes and wait for a change to take place, maintaining the hope that the patient’s thought can keep evolving. Patience also means taking stock of personal thoughts and feelings evoked by the patient, and continuing the process of self-analysis.
