The Dread of Integration: Integrative Processes in a Chronically ill Borderline Patient

This article discusses the difficulties that are encountered in the integration of a patient’s mental organization in psychotherapy. A case study is used to illustrate these difficulties. The patient described was affected by brittle diabetes, had a history of suicidal ideation, & was considered at high risk to seriously harm herself through the mistreatment of her diabetes. This case is discussed in the context of the problems of integration that arise at different levels of development of the self. (36 refs)