THE NOWHERE (WO)MAN - AN EXAMPLE OF THE DEFENSIVE USE OF EMPTINESS INA PATIENT WITH A SCHIZOID DISORDER OF THE SELF

Schizoid patients often appear bland or faintly repellant to other peo ple and equally often describe themselves as empty and without a self. One aspect of this emptiness is defensive in nature. It is born of th e desire to protect the self. Unfortunately, however, defensive emptyi ng serves to weaken the very thing the individual is trying to protect . This article discusses why a person develops this particular method of self protection; describes the devices that serve to sustain the il lusion of emptiness; and what happens when the emptiness begins to giv e way. A case discussion is used for illustration.