The Language of Self-Suppression

Abstract

This chapter will be devoted to examples of statements made by individuals in therapy, and members of their families, that at the same time both mask and reveal self-suppression. Specifically, two general categories of statements will be discussed. The first category is that of statements which appear to indicate only selfish motivation but which in reality refer to altruistic self-sacrifice as well. The second category is that of statements from which hidden self-mortifying thought processes can be inferred. As in the last chapter, in each clinical vignette I will provide the statement, discuss the context, and look at alternate interpretations.