ABSTRACT
In this paper an assessment of a very violent mid-adolescent is undertaken for a specialist unit seeking psychoanalytic understanding of his violence. The links to his perversely violent and abusive childhood are made and the connection between the desire for intimacy and the dread that it will be abusive (Glasser). The importance of the history is stressed (Winnicott) and a capacity to understand violence as the only solution to unprocessed trauma (Parsons & Dermen). Strong suggestions as to management are offered and clear understanding of how risk escalates and might be ameliorated.
