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Psychodynamic Treatment of a Case of Grief Superimposed on Melancholia

Nova Southeastern University

Robert C. Lane

Nova Southeastern University

In this case study, a chronically depressed, middle-aged woman is widowed, exacerbating her depression and anxiety. The case is treated from a psychodynamic perspective, with the classical psychoanalytic conceptualization of complicated mourning and melancholia accounting for the patient's symptom profile. Therapy itself involves the extensive provision of empathy and attunement as well as exploration of feelings in the transference and countertransference. Deeply entrenched and refractory symptoms justify the provision of 2 years of psychotherapy, which allowed the patient the time to uncover unacceptable emotions, learn about how she disowned them, and reintegrate them so as to strengthen ego functioning. The process of self-understanding and reexperiencing in the transference enabled the patient to regain energy and enjoyment in her activities and set her on the path to resuming former functioning.

Key Words: grief • melancholy • mourning (in adults) • depressive position • reactive depression • endogenous depression.

Clinical Case Studies, Vol. 2, No. 1, 3-19 (2003)
DOI: 10.1177/1534650102239085


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