NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL DYSFUNCTION AND PSYCHOLOGICAL CONFLICT

The author examines the interplay between neuropsychological dysfuncti on and psychological conflict. Two ideas are emphasized, First, clinic ians may overlook or subtly de-emphasize the contribution of neuropsyc hological dysfunction to patients' difficulties. Second, when neuropsy chological difficulties are diagnosed, there is value in being acquain ted with the details of the dysfunction and exploring the specific way s in which they are elaborated in fantasy and interwoven in the patien t's psychodynamic constellation (including their employment for defens ive and superego, purposes). This perspective is contrasted with more general formulations concerning the patient's experience of her/himsel f as damaged. A case serves to illustrate such a clinical process of d iscovery.