NARCISSISTIC CONFLICTS OF ELDERLY PATIENTS

In the second half of life narcissistic problems are spread and of far -reaching meaning. This problems here are inquired with reference to t he ego-ideal. After characterizing the ego-ideal in short terms, the h ypothesis of a growing discrepancy of ego and ego-ideal in the second half of life is developed. Several dimensions of this conflict are inq uired with reference to clinical problems in the treatment of elderly patients. At last forms of narcissistic transference are described and possibilities and goals of treatment are discussed,