REPRESSION OF THE ASPIRATION FOR SUPERIORITY-PERFECTION, ALONG WITH A DEFICIT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL FEELING. A CASE STUDY FROM DIAGNOSIS TO TREATMENT.

Abstract

The hypothesis of this paper, based on clinical observation, is that the repression of the aspiration for superiority – perfection, facilitated by compensatory mechanisms aimed at avoiding it, may be correlated with a deficit in the development of social feeling. In that sense the concept of aspiration for superiority – perfection could be identified as a component of social feeling, serving as an important motivation for emotional involvement in interpersonal relationships. Claudia’s lifestyle, as described in the paper, exemplifies these dynamics very well. I have chosen to present this case study, from diagnosis to treatment, to highlight how the psychotherapeutic work of recovery and re - elaborating the aspiration for superiority – perfection is, in certain cases, preparatory for enhancing social feeling, the ultimate goal of all Adlerian psychotherapies