Fictions and their succession in psychotherapy

Abstract

The article explores the concept of fiction in science, philosophy, and psychology, focusing on the reflections of Wahler, Kant, Nietzsche, and Adler. Fictions are presented as useful tools for understanding and dealing with reality, while being separate from objective truth. The Adlerian psychotherapeutic approach introduces the concepts of “reinforced fiction” and “vital fiction” to describe how patients use mental constructs to deal with their inner world and relate to reality. The clinical case of a young man with a strong detachment from reality is presented, treated through a process that transforms his dysfunctional fictions into tools for conscious and positive planning. The article highlights the crucial role of the psychotherapist in guiding this evolution with competence and creativity in the transition from reinforced fiction to unconsciously defensive fiction and vital fiction