ABSTRACT
Relying on the work of Wilma Bucci, Luigi Solano distinguishes a disconnection between symbolic and non-symbolic systems which are linked with traumatic factors, and he accounts for a failure of integration which stems from defence mechanisms. He goes on to shows how complex the intrication between these two factors is in his exploration of the clinical cases. Finally, he makes the hypothesis that defence mechanisms are especially severe in psychosomatic cases, since disconnection means the subject is faced with massive unmetabolised affects. Jörg Frommer defends a methodological dualism in exploring the mind-body relationship. He distinguishes the pre-symbolic interaction of physical exchange from the reflexive and symbolic interaction of verbal exchange, and he makes recourses to semiotics to develop the differences between these two forms of exchange. Jörg finally supports Küchenhoff’s position, differentiating psychosomatic disorders on the level of psychosis, on the borderline level, and on the object relations level. Discussing these contributions, Jacques Press underlines their divergence on the issue of psychosomatic monism versus dualism. He also emphasizes the absence of an economical point of view in the two contributions and thinks that the concept of drive is necessary to take this aspect into account.
