Le passage à l’acte suicidaire dans sa dimension perverse, analyse d’un cas clinique

Abstract

Objective

The notions of psychosis, neurosis, and perversion structured clinical thought during the golden age of psychoanalysis. But, even if psychosis and neurosis are still an integral part of our medical vocabulary, perversion, on the other hand, has become a forgotten or even obsolete concept. However, some mechanisms of interaction between patients and more precisely some suicide attempts seem to be significantly related to it. In this article, we offer the reader a second look at this clinical perversion.

Methodology

This article aims to study some perverse mechanisms that are present in clinical work with suicidal patients and to establish a current, historical, and non-exhaustive definition that will answer the following question: “can a suicide attempt be thought of as a perverse act in its address to the therapist?” The theoretical input will be supported by a preliminary clinical illustration about the hospital and ambulatory monitoring of a young patient.

Results

When suicidal acting out takes on a special meaning addressed to the therapist and allows the patient to seize power in the therapeutic relationship, we can clearly see the characteristics of perversion.

Discussion

A cautious approach should be adopted about this proposition: not all suicidal acts are to be associated without nuance with perversion. Similarly, it is up to the therapist to understand the mechanisms developed by the patient in the therapeutic relationship and to make them the object of shared therapeutic work.

Conclusion

This article offers the reader a theoretical and clinical approach to the suicidal act in patients whose psychic structure can be considered perverse. It allows us to: differentiate between addressed and un-addressed suicidal acts, acknowledge the resulting clinical difficulties, and explore avenues about the monitoring of patients after a suicide attempt.