ABSTRACT
This chapter examines a case of a neurosis, originally analyzed by Gerhard Adler in his 1961 book, The Living Symbol: A Case Study in Individuation. It re-interprets certain neurotic symptoms and fantasy material that Adler presented in light of Wolfgang Giegerich's theory of neurosis set forth in his 2013 book, Neurosis: The Logic of a Metaphysical Illness. The chapter also examines parts of Adler's case in order to demonstrate differences between his traditional Jungian approach to the clinical material and an approach informed by Giegerich's psychology and theory of neurosis. It suggests how clinical material might be seen through the lens of Giegerich's theory. The chapter focuses on the patient's neurotic symptom, which Adler characterizes as claustrophobia. In order to unpack the character of the neurotic symptom, the chapter explores an active imagination that proved to be a turning point in the analysis.
