ABSTRACT
The transitional expands into art, science, religion, and culture in general or contracts into addictions and fetishes. Transitional phenomena may include an infant’s babbling or a child’s repeated songs while preparing for sleep. D. W. Winnicott associates transitional objects and phenomena with illusion, which he describes as “at the basis of initiation of experience”. Transitional objects are also signs of “progress towards experiencing” and of an “area of experience.” Winnicott introduces his concept with the term “objects,” but quickly enlarges it to “transitional phenomena” and “transitional area.” He speaks first about concrete objects because it is easier to see an object than to grasp an area of experience. A posthumously published paper, “Fear of Breakdown”, represents the most definitive and beautiful crystallization of Winnicott’s mature views on madness. Typical Winnicottian therapy addresses “the schizoid spot” that develops to compensate for the persistent failure in personal care.
