The autistic object: its relationship with narcissism in the transference and countertransference of neurotic and borderline patients 1

Our concern with neurotic and borderline adult patients and children who present similar and specific difficulties in the development of psychoanalytic processes led us to study the autistic object described by Frances Tustin in several publications (1972, 1981, 1986). This autistic object was originally observed in children presenting infantile autistic psychosis. However, some authors, such as H.S. Klein (Chapter Eight), Oelsner (1986, 1987a, 1987b) and Tustin herself (1972, 1981, 1986) apply this concept to other clinical phenomena and syndromes.