Contingencies and linkings of aggression on a borderline patient's body

In this presentation, based on the clinical material of a pervert-borderline patient, some intrapsychic and behavioral routes followed by his aggression will be tracked. This patient came for treatment because of, painfully experienced, exhibitionistic practices (colored with pedophilic interests). Special theoretical attention will be allotted to this patient's internalized object relationships not only with his father but to scenes portraying, in his mind, ways the father treated (or should treat) his wife's (the mother of the patient) sexuality. Aspects of the transference as well as of the real therapeutic relationship will also be examined as fields of enacting, understanding and transforming this aggression. It will be shown how the (representation of the) body becomes gradually more integrated and takes a slightly more central position in the self, as well as how, by experiencing a “human” sense of guilt, this patient succeeds in partially detoxifying his terrifying internal reality.