CLAUSTRO-AGORAPHBOIA, BERTRAM LEWIN, AND THE ORAL TRIAD

​

Claustro-agoraphobic anxieties are rooted in unconscious phantasies about the maternal body. Henri Rey named the claustro-agoraphobic syndrome in which its sufferers feel trapped when involved in a relationship, desperate to escape, then terrified once free of it, seeking retreat to the illusory security of the primal home – in phantasy, the mother’s body. The presenter will discuss some early and little-recognized contributions of Bertram D. Lewin that may be applied to Rey’s ideas within the context of a claustro-agoraphobic patient. She will further discuss three dreams to demonstrate how Lewin’s oral triad of wishes: ‘to eat, to be eaten and to sleep’ relates to these phobias and to Rey’s concept.

​

RETURN TO PRESENTATIONS