Am I My Sibling’s Keeper? A Review of Working with Survivor Siblings in Psychoanalysis By Johanna Dobrich

Abstract

Under even ordinary circumstances, siblings can be both a curse and a blessing. Just ask anyone who has them, and anyone who does not. Johanna Dobrich adds significantly to the literature on the important developmental role of sibling relationships, but with a twist. Her new book underscores the lack of examination of the undeniably critical, yet overlooked, role of sibling relationships in determining identity, ego strength, authenticity, and much more. Although this volume is mainly concerned with the negative impact of having a sibling, Dobrich wisely discusses how siblings, even extremely difficult ones, also contribute positively to our development and are a dynamic force in determining who we become. But her main thesis is far more specific. Dobrich put out a call on several listservs with the intention of recruiting not just any subjects, but psychoanalysts. Armed with the realization of the impact that her own compromised sibling had on her development, and how that contributed to her vocational choice, she sought out others with the same experience. What would they say about the impact of their siblings on their development? Did they become their sibling’s caregiver? If so, did they feel this role contributed heavily to them becoming analysts? More importantly, did they feel the guilt, shame, and anxiety that Dobrich herself has lived with for so long? Wanting to work through and integrate what having a challenging sibling meant to her, Dobrich embarks on a courageous investigative journey. She decides to put out a call for participation and receives fifteen responses from experienced analysts who had, indeed, been raised with a medically compromised