ABSTRACT
Psychological literature describes severe and disabling acquired chronic medical conditions, as causing traumatic loss of control over one's own body and world, as well as fundamental changes in interpersonal relations. these changes can shatter previously established self and self-other concepts. As theoretical literature regarding these interpersonal changes and their corresponding intrapersonal changes is scarce, this paper attempts to integrate contemporary psychoanalytic ideas to theoretically explore these experiences.
Specifically, this paper explores and utilizes Roy Schafer's psychoanalytic concept of “tragic knots” and Jessica Benjamin's relational concept of complementarity, applying them in medical contexts. Two common relational complementarities, in which individuals experiencing acquired medical conditions place themselves and the other in mirroring roles, are described: (a) victimhood vs. agency (b) maintaining privacy and autonomy vs. belonging and dependence. These interpersonal interactions are described and illustrated through clinical examples.
