CRITICAL STAGES IN MENTAL-DEVELOPMENT - CHILDHOOD BREATH-HOLDING SPELLS (BHS)

The authors present the first part of a study on children with BHS (Br eath Holding Spells) syndrome. These children were chosen in order to examine a ''pathological'' situation in infancy that was as close as p ossible to a ''normal'' one, and in which obvious somatic symptoms wer e associated with emotional states. Children with BHSS are not conside red to have serious psychological disturbances, even if they are const antly referred to as intolerant of separation, stubborn, oppositional, or easy to temper tantrum. A reduced ability to tolerate frustration is evident in these children both from the patients' history and clini cal observation. Parents usually relate BHS to situations in which the child is denied something or gets scolded. The children were observed during three sessions, both with and without the mother, according to a grid used at our Center. Patients are presented to illustrate certa in recurrent features in play and interaction with mother. The data su ggest that these children stagnate in an area of incomplete mental rep resentation; something makes them oscillate between two states: in one of them, the mental representation of the object and of the bond with it is possible; in the other, the mental representation of the separa tion, which entails the recognition of the object, is felt as dangerou s.