We propose to revisit the concept of infantile psychosis through the story of Youssef. When the therapeutic situation is confronted with particularly massive transference movements, an encounter can be co-constructed around the phenomenon of confusion. According to this principle, it is a matter of accepting this temporary state in order to start towards a process of transformation and differentiation. The relational body can, in this regard, appear as an original anchor point.
Using two brief clinical vignettes showing two young adults – one who never presented any troubling signs in childhood, the other treated for psychotic symptoms – the author will look retroactively at the twists and turns of the adolescent process and the role that this psychic experience may or may not have played in the evolution of their lives. Is it possible that this psychic experience of adolescence is not accessible to everyone?
Adolescence, 2020, 38, 2, 423-433.
Revue semestrielle de psychanalyse, psychopathologie et sciences humaines, indexée AERES au listing PsycINFO publiée avec le concours du Centre National du Livre et de l’Université de Paris Diderot Paris 7