ABSTRACT
Francesco’s clinical story enables us to understand how the psychotic process develops progressively and unpredictably. Francesco’s delusional structure, too, presented itself each time with the same nucleus, which never changed in spite of the new characters who would come onto the scene and the increased strength the delusion would gain. Francesco really was a good patient, attached to his analysis and collaborating always, thus making it possible to discuss and rebuild what had happened. Facilitating the creation of Francesco’s persecutory world was his fascination with evil. The nature of the delusion can thus be better analysed and, with the patient’s help, its uncontainable and unstoppable nature modified. As can be seen from the clinical material of this case, dreams progressively changed until they became similar to neurotic dreams, with symbolic language that enabled suitable interpretations to be made to unveil implicit emotional meaning.
