Am J Psychiatry 1983; 140:284-289
Copyright © 1983 by American Psychiatric Association
Regressive alterations of the self concept
MJ Horowitz and N Zilberg
When clinicians formulate a case for treatment by dynamic psychotherapy
they include an assessment of ego functions, including the capacity for
self symbolization. Terminology for this purpose has been diffusely
defined. This paper reviews concepts for describing self symbolization and
emphasizes ways of describing the multiplicity of symbols present within
any individual. Some regressive transference phenomena during treatment are
briefly discussed to illustrate use of the suggested terminology in case
formulation.
