The Case History

Abstract

Case histories report the basic data of psychoanalysis, and yet they are strikingly infrequent in the psychoanalytic literature. This reflects not only the methodological problems in describing psychoanalytic cases, but also the complex intentions of psychoanalysts who want both to present and to conceal aspects of their work. The history of the case history is discussed, as are the nature and purpose of case reports, the differences between oral and written reports, the relation between case reports and psychoanalyses, and case reports as countertransferential enactments. A plea is made for including authorial intention as an explicit part of the report, rather than concealing it behind a scientific facade.