Unlit Corners

Psychoanalysis has investigated character traits since its foundation by Freud but there are still those as yet uncovered. Eight neglected traits form the focus of this book, divided into two distinct parts: mostly public and mostly private. These are explored using philosophy, literature, psychiatry, social anthropology, and psychoa

With contributions from Salman Akhtar, Jerome Blackman, Michael Civin, Lois Choi-Kain, Nilofer Kaul, M. Sagman Kayatekin, Z. Emel Kayatekin Nina Savelle-Rocklin, and Ann Smolen. Unlit Corners endeavours to bring light to neglected character traits which many struggle to overcome. Filled with relevant case studies and carefully crafted psychoanalytic theory, the book elucidates the multilayered nature of such psychopathologies and its treatment. Beginning in the public realm, Nina Savelle-Rocklin explores the complex meaning of ‘dirtiness,’ both literally and figuratively, relating it the body, mind, and language. Ann Smolen’s investigation of miserliness follows, where she emphasizes that it is not about money, but instead arises from the poverty of internal good objects, which are the basic source of generosity. Jerome Blackman examines the nuanced potential meanings of shyness using psychopathology and underlying etiology, while Lois Choi-Kain deftly categorizes outrageousness into three types: a guilt-driven masochist, a hope-driven optimist, and a hate-driven sadist, with a subcategory for creative writers and artists. The more private traits start with shallowness. Michael Civin develops ‘shallow’ as a general construct and studies it from a psychoanalytic perspective, arguing that no human being can be described accurately as shallow. The Kayatekins come next with their study of indecisiveness and the role of the ego as a way of understanding this trait. Nilofer Kaul looks at ‘restlessness’ and its associations in psychoanalysis, literature, and culture. The final chapter comes from Salman Akhtar on the subject of cowardliness, where he links it to the lack of self-protective devices emanating from breeches in the early mother-child bond and deficient identification with the same-sex parent. This book is highly recommended to clinicians to give them the tools to not only understand and empathize with their patient’s struggles but also to enhance their capacity to help them overcome such struggles.

Contents Acknowledgments About the Editor and Contributors Introduction PART I: MOSTLY PUBLIC CHAPTER ONE Dirtiness Nina Savelle-Rocklin CHAPTER TWO Miserliness Ann Smolen CHAPTER THREE Shyness Jerome Blackman CHAPTER FOUR Outrageousness Lois Choi-Kain PART II: MOSTLY PRIVATE CHAPTER FIVE Shallowness Michael Civin CHAPTER SIX Indecisiveness M. Sagman Kayatekin and Z. Emel Kayatekin CHAPTER SEVEN Restlessness Nilofer Kaul CHAPTER EIGHT Cowardliness Salman Akhtar References Index,

Contents

Acknowledgments

About the Editor and Contributors

Introduction

PART I: MOSTLY PUBLIC

CHAPTER ONE
Dirtiness
Nina Savelle-Rocklin

CHAPTER TWO
Miserliness
Ann Smolen

CHAPTER THREE
Shyness
Jerome Blackman

CHAPTER FOUR
Outrageousness
Lois Choi-Kain

PART II: MOSTLY PRIVATE

CHAPTER FIVE
Shallowness
Michael Civin

CHAPTER SIX
Indecisiveness
M. Sagman Kayatekin and Z. Emel Kayatekin

CHAPTER SEVEN
Restlessness
Nilofer Kaul

CHAPTER EIGHT
Cowardliness
Salman Akhtar

References

Index

• Edited by Salman Akhtar

‘This original book provides rich discussions of eight clinically common but suboptimally addressed character traits. Each of its essays helps the reader gain better understanding of one such trait, increased empathy for the emotional difficulties underlying it, and improved capacity to deal effectively with it in the clinical situation.’

— LENA EHRLICH, PsyD, FABP, Faculty Member, Michigan Psychoanalytic Institute Author of Psychoanalysis from Inside Out: Developing and Sustaining an Analytic Identity and Practice

‘Despite the interest shown in the topic by Freud and the early analysts, the notion of the “character trait” has been somewhat underrepresented in our literature, making Salman Akhtar’s edited contribution all the more timely. Impressive in its range of approaches and clinical insights, Unlit Corners is crucial reading for clinicians and researchers alike who seek illumination for some of the most ubiquitous and aetiologically obscure facets of human subjectivity.’

— TOM DEROSE, Research Director, Freud Museum London

‘Dr Akhtar has never been shy of shedding light on unlit corners of our field. Here he has, once again, brought together a group of distinguished contributors to offer a decisive and deep analysis of eight challenging human traits. It is a comprehensive exploration, executed humbly, that both settles and prods our curiosity about these realms.’

— GURMEET KANWAL, MD, Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York; Faculty Member and Supervising Analyst, William Alanson White Institute, New York