Feeling, Being, and the Sense of Self: A New Perspective on Identity, Affect and Narcissistic Disorders

This book explores the underlying mechanisms of the psyche. It traces the development of the individual and, in particular, the development of the sense of self, which is understood to be intimately related to the individual's object relations and to play a crucial role in core clinical phenomena. The book outlines a new perspective on identity and affect which sheds light into the heartland of analytic theory, providing fresh insights into narcissism, and narcissistic, borderline, hysteric, and schizoid psychopathologies.

Table of Contents:
ContentsINTRODUCTIONPART I CHAPTER ONE The clinical pictureCHAPTER TWO IdentityCHAPTER THREE AffectCHAPTER FOUR Klein and Bion: projective identificationand the paranoid-schizoid positionCHAPTER FIVE TechniqueCHAPTER SIX Jung, the self, and spiritual experiencePART II: PERSONALITY TYPESCHAPTER SEVEN Narcissism and narcissistic personality typesCHAPTER EIGHT The borderline personalityCHAPTER NINE The hysteric personalityCHAPTER TEN The schizoid personalityREFERENCES INDEX

About the Author :
Marcus West is a Jungian analyst and professional member of the Society of Analytical Psychology; he works in private practice in Sussex, England. He has published papers, taught and given talks on a range of subjects including attachment theory, narcissism, envy, identity and dreams. He was joint winner of the Michael Fordham Prize [2004] for his paper 'Identity, Narcissism and the Emotional Core' and gave the Society of Analytical Psychology Annual Lecture in 2008. He has been Book Reviews Editor and is now a member of the Editorial Board of the 'Journal of Analytical Psychology'.

Review :
'This is an exciting book. Marcus West has embarked on an ambitious project in which, while taking into account an impressively comprehensive range of analytic theories, together with the insights of neuroscientists such as Damasio and Schore, he gives a new perspective on narcissistic functioning ... In writing this book West takes no rules for granted which is why it should be read by those experienced in this work as well as by beginners. He provides a refreshing and convincing theory which arose from his own determination to work effectively with his patient who, he felt, was bringing them both to the brink of disaster. In gleaning what he could from current literature he left few stones unturned and his energetic search, as well as its conclusions, is of equal interest to those from Jungian or psychoanalytic schools of thought. His contribution is of lasting significance for our profession.' - Anne Tyndale, Training Analyst of the BAP (Psychoanalytic Section) 'Marcus West is to be congratulated on his achievement. This book offers both a thoughtful and scholarly analysis of existing literature in psychoanalysis, attachment theory and neuroscience on issues of identity and the sense of self. He also develops a new, uniquely Jungian, theoretical perspective on the clinical problems for which our patients seek help, arising from distortions in their sense of identity and illustrates his approach with powerful case material.' - Dr Jean Knox, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Analytical Psychology, Training Analyst of the SAP