The case history

Case histories report the basic data of psychoanalysis, and yet they are st rikingly infrequent in the psychoanalytic literature. This reflects not onl y the methodological problems in describing psychoanalytic cases, but also the complex intentions of psychoanalysts who want both to present and to co nceal aspects of their work. The history of the case history is discussed, as are the nature and purpose; of case reports, the differences between ora l and written reports, the relation between case reports and psychoanalyses , and case reports as countertransferential enactments. A plea is made for including authorial intention as an explicit part of the report, rather tha n concealing it behind a scientific facade.