No: 14 / BODILY SYMPTOMS AND DEATH DRIVE IN A RARE ILLNESS WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF PSYCHIC WORLD

  • BODILY SYMPTOMS AND DEATH DRIVE IN A RARE ILLNESS WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF PSYCHIC WORLD

    Ayşe Elif Yavuz
    Summary :

    Psychogenic Purpura or Gardner and Diamond?s syndrome is a rare illness which is mostly seen in young women with the symptoms of bizarre inflammatory bruises and tender ecchymotic lesions. The symptoms start spontaneously and these symptoms may be very rich contrasting with normal biological test results. The objective of this study is to evaluate the psychic world of a 35 year of woman who is diagnosed as psychogenic purpura. The projective tests of Rorschach and TAT were given and interpreted according to French School. The richness of the responses indicate death drives and aggressiveness in object relations. The responses of the tests also indicate the negativity of archaic maternal image, intrusivity and persecution in this primordial relation. The concept of ?therepeutic child? and patient?s role in early mother-daughter relationship is discussed with the meaning of illness.

    Keywords : Psychogenic Purpura, Rorschach Test, TAT, death drive, bodily symptoms.