THE INTERPRETATION OF AGGRESSIVE AND DESTRUCTIVE TRANSFERENCE AND TRANSFERENCE RESISTANCE

In this paper the question is considered to what extent the patient's and analyst's perception and tolerance of both aggressive and destruct ive elements of the analytic relationship can be increased. Successful interpretation enables the patient to feel, enact and comprehend anim osity in the transference and experience that the relationship can con tinue. The concept of primary aggression developed in Freud's speculat ion on death instinct is discussed in its clinical function of relief. The metapsychological concept of primary aggression facilitates work on aggressive and especially destructive developments of the relations hip. Freud's and subsequently Eissler's examination of the reciprocity of destructiveness and narcissism opened plausible clinical avenues t o explain the compensation of defence mechanisms against mankind's vul nerability in the face of mortality. The concept of primary aggression is obviously of greater relevance than frustration/aggession models s ince the former does not view the patient as mere victim of his biogra phy, but as a subject with the potential to enact his own destructiven ess. Since aggressiveness is often concomitant with fear and suppresse d guilt, interpretation plays a decisive role in relieving the supereg o strain; more confrontation may involve the analyst in the role of th e persecutor. Sudden and violent feelings of hate towards the analyst require careful treatment of the patient's irritation. Interpretation of genetic causes of animosity often prove to be countertransference r esistance; interpretation in transference, however, is viewed as profi table. Finally, those dangerous and destructive phases of treatments a re discussed, which compel the analyst to protect the setting.