Fearful Symmetry: The Development and Treatment of Sadomasochism (Critical Issues in Psychoanalysis) [Hardcover]

Jack Novick (Author), Kerry Kelly Novick (Author)

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Product details

Hardcover: 416 pages
Publisher: Jason Aronson Inc. Publishers; First Edition edition (7 July 1977)
Language English
ISBN-10: 1568216521
ISBN-13: 978-1568216522
Product Dimensions: 21.1 x 15.4 x 2.9 cm
Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,183,097 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Product Description

Using data from infant observation, and child, adolescent, and adult analyses, the Novicks explicate a multidimensional, developmental theory of sadomasochism that has been recognized as a major innovation. According to the Novicks, each phase of development contributes to the clinical manifestations of sadomasochism. Painful experiences in infancy are transformed into a mode of attachment, then into an embraced marker of specialness and unlimited destructive power, then into a conviction of equality with oedipal parents, and, finally, into an omnipotent capacity to gratify infantile wishes through the coercion of others. By school age, these children have established a magic omnipotent system of thought which undermines alternate means of competent interactions with reality. In adolescence and adulthood it becomes increasingly hard for them to deny, avoid, or distort reality without resorting to escalating self-destructive behaviors.Sadomasochistic phenomena are the source of severe resistances and counterreactions in all phases of therapy. This book helps clinicians recognize and overcome these blocks to treatment progress and success. Here can be found an introduction to the Novicks' reformulation of the therapeutic alliance, and their distinctive contributions to the transformations of memory and the termination of treatment.

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Amazon.com: 5.0 out of 5 stars (1 customer review)

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Masochistic Personality, 1 Feb 2009

By David Henning - Published on Amazon.com

This review is from: Fearful Symmetry: The Development and Treatment of Sadomasochism (Critical Issues in Psychoanalysis) (Paperback)

The book, "Fearful Symmetry" by Jack Novick and Kerry Kelly Novick, is an excellent book about the development of a masochistic personality deriving from traumatic events in early childhood. It is well-written, clearly stated with plenty of evidence based on childhood observational research and clinical examples. The chapter, "Masochism and the Delusion of Omnipotence" describes very lucidly the psychodynamic underpinnings of the masochistic personality. I recommend this book highly, to clinicians working with self undermining and self endangering patients who seem to delight in thwarting the clinician's every attempt to empathize with them and help them to grow out of their pain-oriented identity.

Highly Recommended!

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