A case of narcissistic personality disorder: the problem of treatment
Altman, L.L.
International Journal of Psycho-Analysis 56(2): 187-195
1975
ISSN/ISBN: 0020-7578 PMID: 1158576 Document Number: 94884
The problems of psychoanalytic treatment of a narcissistic disorder were studied in a patient in his late 30s. He had a dynamic air of great self-importance and urgency, but was articulate and intelligent. He lived alone, was friendless and had numerous physical complaints. Through 3 1/2 yr of analysis he persistently threatened to quit and did not seem to improve. The irreconcilable narcissistic demands and those of reality constituted a pathology for which there seemed no remedy. It is questionable whether patients of this type can be reached with the analytic instrument.