Object Relations in Depression ─ A Return to Theory

This book examines the role of British object relations theory in order to explore our understanding and treatment of depression. It challenges current conceptualizations of depression while simultaneously discussing the complex nature of depression, its long-lasting and chronic implications and the susceptibility to relapse many may face.
Illuminated throughout by case studies, areas of discussion include:


Freud’s theory of depression
analytic subtypes of depression
a theoretical contribution to the problem of relapse
the correlation between dream work and the work of mourning.

Object Relations in Depression offers a psychoanalytic discussion of the multifaceted nature of depression and as such will be of great interest to all those in the psychoanalytic field.

Trevor Lubbe trained as a child psychotherapist at the Tavistock Clinic and worked in the NHS before returning to South Africa, where he now lives and works. He is a member of the Association of Child Psychotherapists and a member of the Institute for Child Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy in South Africa.

Depression Today: A Critical Point in Understanding and Treatment. Freud’s Theory of Depression. Karl Abraham’s Theory of Depression. Melanie Klein’s Theory of Depression. When the Body Gets Depressed: Henri Rey. Winnicott on Depression. A Note on Fairbairn’s Concept of ‘Futility’. Analytic Sub-types of Depression. A Theoretical Contribution to the Problem of Relapse. The Correlation Between Dream Work and the Work of Mourning. Case Study: A Type of Identification Found in Depression-related Loss. The Depressed Child: The Scandal of Prescribing Antidepressants. Freud’s Depression. Klein’s Depression. Bion’s Depression.