Psychoanalytic Association of New York

A Seventeen and Twenty-Six Year Follow-Up of an Adult Male Who Endured Mother-Son Incest in Latency: An Analytic Case Study
Presenter: Howard S. Rudominer, MD
Discussant: Harold P. Blum, MD

Monday, November 14, 2011
8:15 pm
Alumni Hall B
NYU Langone Medical Center
550 First Avenue, NYC
PANY MEETINGS ARE NOW HELD AT NYU
Signs will lead the way to Alumni Hall B

In an age of the ascendancy of attachment, infant research, relational and self- psychology theories, as well the neurosciences,in psychoanalytic thinking, Freud’s foundational psychosexual theories appear to find diminishing representation.  The upcoming series of PANY’s scientific presentations revisit his seminal psychosexual concepts.  Among them, Freud’s declaration of the universality of the Oedipus conflict rests on the cardinal ubiquity of incestuous urges and the taboo against them - a conceptualization at the heart of psychoanalysis, forever contested within and outside of it, but whose radical nature is perhaps insufficiently captured even in the curricula of the classical psychoanalytic institutes. So, we begin with the presentation of a follow-up of the psychoanalytic treatment of a patient with a history of actual incest.   

NOTE:  Because much of the richness and detail of the original paper must be left out of this presentation because of time considerations, it is highly advised that you read the original paper: 

Rudominer HS. (2002). Consummated Mother-Son Incest in Latency: A Case Report of an Adult Analysis, J Amer Psychoanal Assn, 50:909-935. 
THIS PAPER MAY BE DOWNLOADED FROM PANY'S HOMEPAGE AT https://sites.google.com/site/panynyc/Home

Abstract
Analytic reports and long-term follow-up of cases of this kind are rare, and clinical documents are, for that reason, valuable.  It is important to document the analyzability of a patient with this profound a traumatic history.  Although the work was complex and difficult, this patient tolerated and profited by a rigorous analysis; it is important not to leap too quickly to the conclusion that other such cases might not tolerate and profit similarly.  The author emphasizes how profound the resistances and countertransference issues of the analyst who takes on such a case are.  He believes that this accounts, in part, for the paucity of reports, and perhaps even for a diminished clinical capacity to recognize incest cases when the appear.  Certainly, they influence any therapeutic work that may be undertaken. 

Educational Objective
After attending this presentation, participants should be better able to appreciate the dynamics, analyzability, resistances, and countertransference reactions when treating mother-incest victims as well as incest victims in general. In addition, the presentation will provide the participants an opportunity to reflect on the status of the concept of incest taboo in the present day psychoanalytic theory, practice and education.

Accreditation Statement
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint sponsorship of the American Psychoanalytic Association and the Psychoanalytic Association of New York. The American Psychoanalytic Association is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The American Psychoanalytic Association designates this Live Activity for a maximum of 2 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation
in the activity.

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE INFORMATION FOR ALL LEARNERS: None of the planners and presenters of this CME program have any relevant financial relationships to disclose.

This scientific session is open to psychoanalysts, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, & other mental health professionals.