1st Edition

Above the Ground and Beneath the Clouds Schizophrenia in Lacanian Psychoanalysis

By Yannis Grammatopoulos Copyright 2017
    276 Pages
    by Routledge

    276 Pages
    by Routledge

    Above the Ground and Beneath the Clouds examines the history, conceptualisation, and treatment of the psychotic sub-type of schizophrenia, as this is advocated by psychoanalysis of Lacanian orientation, which is contrasted to modern psychiatry. The book's main focus is the status of the schizophrenic body and language. The ways in which these concepts can be of theoretical and clinical use in contemporary clinical settings are examined throughout. The book consists of three parts. The first part comprises the theoretical investigation of schizophrenia in early 20th century psychiatry and in the theory and teaching of Freud, Lacan, and other influential psychoanalysts. The second part presents the fascinating case of the late 19th century Greek writer Georgios Vizyenos, who invented an extraordinary way to anchor the body before his admission to a psychiatric institution in 1896. The third part discusses the implications of those findings for the contemporary psychoanalytic diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia. Assisted by examples from the author's clinical experience and from literature and art, this book sheds invaluable light on probably the most obscure sub-type of psychosis.

    Preface , The Poor Relation's Story: Schizophrenia in Freud and Lacan , From the splitting of the mind to the unity of the ego , From the ego to the subject , From the subject to the speaking being , The Beautifying Rise and the Disastrous Fall of the Child's Body in Georgios Vizyenos , A body orphan and poor , The beautification of the child's body , The psychotic breakdown , “Knotting it up”: a topological approach to Vizyenos , After a Hundred Years: The Contemporary Lacanian Clinic of Schizophrenia , Diagnosis: the schizophrenic subject and the real , The range of schizophrenic inventions , Conclusions

    Biography

    Yannis Grammatopoulos

    "In the course of the book, Grammatopolous makes important distinctions between psychotic sub-types, including paranoia and melancholia. His book is to be strongly recommended to those seeking a summation of the many rich and varied things that Lacanian psychoanalysis can offer to the field of the psychoses. It may also be of interest to readers seeking clinical alternatives to the pills and ‘psychoeducation’ of mainstream mental health, delivered from a paradigm that is as theoretically rigorous as it is respectful of individual particularity."

    - David Ferraro