ABSTRACT

This chapter describes some of the issues that arose in working with an attractive, intelligent, narcisstic young woman–the pull into becoming fascinated and absorbed by the way she spoke and functioned, the responses she elicited from her analyst. The patient had a particular way of speaking, using a quiet, modulated voice. To the extent to which the analyst is in contact with the more deadly, psychotic aspect of the patient's narcissistic disorder, this inevitably has a disturbing effect upon him. In the course of the analysis the patient, who is intelligent and attractive, has been able to resume studying, and has indeed been very successful, gaining the highest honours. The broken-up, confused world that lies behind her narcissism becomes more apparent. She also conveys that part of the disturbance arises when she feels she does not know and cannot control what goes on in analyst’s mind.