The Body as Transitional Object: a Psychoanalytic Study of a Self-Mutilating Patient

This study explores the theory that self mutilation patients may regard their bodies as transitional objects. (In defining this term, the author draws an analogy to the blanket belonging to Linus, of comic strip fame.) The case history of a female college student is discussed in this context. Transference & countertransference of the patient’s ambivalent, sadomasochistic behavior appeared to decrease her obsessive, self mutilating behavior.(NBB)