Donald Winnicott

Through Paediatrics to Psychoanalysis: Collected Papers

(Londres, Karnac Books, 1996, collection « Karnac Classics »)

Synopsis
Originally published under the title 'Collected Papers'(1958), this volume presents Dr. Winnicott's distinctive and varied contributions addressed to scientific audiences. It is issued with an extensive introduction by Masud Khan relating these papers to Dr. Winnicott's later publications.

Description
Published originally under the title Collected Papers (1958) this volume presented Dr. winnicott's distinctive and varied contributions addressed to scientific audiences. It is issued with an extensive introduction by Masud Khan relating these papers to Dr. Winnicotts later publications. The value of Dr. winnicott's work has become more and more widely recognized not only among psycho-analysts but also psychologists, educators , social workers, and men and women in every branch of medicine; indeed, all whose work or practice involves the care of children in health or sickness.

An important part of the value of these writings lies in the uniquely binocular view with which the author regards the subjects of his investigation. With him, pediatrics informs psycho-analysis; psycho-analysis illuminates pediatrics. This book is not concerned with innovation in basic psycho-analytic concepts or techniques, but with the formulation and testing-out of ideas whose origin was in the challenge of day-to-day clinical work that was the staple of Dr. Winnocott's medical experience throughout his professional life.

This book is arranged in three sections. The first represents Dr. Winnicott's attitudes as a pediatrician prior to training in psycho-analysis, and demonstrates the degree to which a purely formal pediatric approach requires as an effective complement a deeper understanding of the emotional problems of child development. The second section demonstrates the impact of psycho-analytic concepts on pediatrics, while the third section contains his very own individual contribution to psycho-analytic theory and practice.

Donald Winnicott (1896-1971) was trained in pediatrics, a profession that he practiced to the end of his life, in particular at the Paddington Green Children's Hospital. He began analysis with James Strachey in 1923, became a member of the British Psycho-Analytical Society in 1935, and twice served as its President. He was also a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and of the British Psychological Society.

Since his death, the Squiggle Foundation has been established specifically "to study and cultivate the tradition of D.W. Winnicott".

Donald Winnicott

The Maturational Processes and the Facilitating Environment

(Londres, Karnac Books, 1995)

Dr. Winnicott explores the idea that mental health disorders relate to failures of development in infancy. Without denying the importance of inheritance, he has developed the theory that schizophrenic illness shows up as the negative of processes that can be traced in detail as the positive processes of maturation in infancy and early childhood.

The collection of papers which forms The Maturational Processes and the Facilitating Environment has, as its main theme, the carrying back of the application of Freud's theories to infancy. Freud showed that psycho-neurosis has its point of origin in the interpersonal relationships of the first maturity, belonging to the toddler age. Dr Winnicott explores the idea that mental hospital disorders relate to failures of development in infancy. Without denying the importance of inheritance, he has developed the theory that schizophrenic illness shows up as the negative of processes that can be traced in detail as the positive processes of maturation in infancy and early childhood.

Donald Winnicott

Psycho-Analytic Explorations

(Londres, Karnac Books, 1989)


This volume contains ninety-two works by this reknowned writer, theoretician, and clinician. Includes critiques of Melanie Klein's ideas and insights into the works of other leading psychoanalysts, and thoughts on such concepts as play in the analytic situation, the fate of the transitional object, regression in psychoanalysis, and the use of silence in psychotherapy. 602 pages.

Description
Exploring in her memoir the question of why Winnicott was so interested in "the first two-person relationship", that between mother and baby, Clare Winnicott says: "Given his personality, his training and experience, and his urge for discovery, it seems inevitable that he would concentrate his researches on the (then) so far comparatively unexplored area of earliest infancy and childhood. His findings, however, are recognized by many as having implications far beyond the immediate area of study. It is the expressed opinion of some that they throw light on all areas of living." Readers of Psycho-Analytic Explorations will share that opinion.

Donald Winnicott

Babies and their Mothers

(Londres, Free Association Books, 1988)


Addresses the central issues of infancy. This volume collates the author's mature reflections on the relationship between mothers and their babies and on the psychological processes taking place in the infant around the time of birth and shortly afterwards. The author, a distinguished psychoanalyst, discusses the minimum needs of every baby, breast-feeding as the first dialogue and "stuff for dreaming", psychoanalysis and midwifery, the earliest signs of personality and the nature of non-verbal communication in the "nursing couple".

Donald Winnicott

Human Nature

(Londres, Free Association Books, 1988)

This is Donald Winnicott's only attempt to write an overview of his ideas. It remained unfinished at his death in 1971. It is an ambitious work. The chapters offer his perspective on most of the main issues in psychoanalytic theory. 189 pages.

Donald Winnicott

Holding and Interpretation: Fragment of an Analysis

(Londres, Karnac Books, 1986)

Synopsis
Documents the therapeutic care of a gifted, professional man who suffered a psychotic breakdown with acute depression, and who - through analysis - was helped to recovery. Also includes the paper 'Withdrawal and Regression' which is directly relevant to the case.

Description
In his illuminating introduction, Masud Khan, to whom Dr. Winnicott's case notes were entrusted, relates this definite text of Holding and Interpretation: Fragment of an Analysis to an earlier phase of the treatment of the same patient described by Winnicott in his paper 'Withdrawal and Regression', also included in this volume.
The case documents the therapeutic care of a highly gifted professional man who suffered a psychotic breakdown with acute depression, and who, through analysis, and hospital treatment, was gradually helped to recovery. It is remarkable for many things: Dr. Winnicott's skill at 'holding' the patient in the analytical sessions, and providing guidance through sensitive interpretation; his ability to re-enforce the patient's sexual and ego functions; his instinctive recognition of the value of silence (as a way of showing trust, and of not destroying by intent); his capacity to accept the paradox that verbal communication can be both meaningful and a negation of psychic reality; and, not least, his acute judgment of when to stop the analysis.
Donald Winnicott (1896-1971) was trained in pediatrics, a profession he practiced to the end of his life, in particular at the Paddington Green Children's Hospital. He began analysis with James Strachey in 1923, became a member of British Psycho-Analytical Society in 1935, and twice served as its President. He was also a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and of British Psychological Society.

Donald Winnicott

Deprivation and Delinquency

(New-York, Routledge, 1984)


An invaluable compilation of D.W. Winnicott's papers, talks, letters and lectures between 1930 and 1970, centred on the theme of the relationship between antisocial behaviour, or more chronically delinquency, and childhood experiences of deprivation. Linking passages by the editors set the historical context for four sections focusing on children under stress, the nature and origin of antisocial tendency, the practical management of difficult children, and individual therapy with the antisocial personality. 294 pages.