Citation

Anastasopoulos D, Soumaki E, Anagnostopoulos D. J. Child Psychother. 2010; 36(2): 119.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/0075417X.2010.495023

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The article begins with a brief exploration of the various aspects of adolescent's psychic qualities as these are described in Greek mythology. It is argued that myths are an integral part of the way that adolescence is perceived and myths play an important role in adolescents' psychic and external world, as well as in their mythological thinking. Connections are made with the attraction towards the creation of myths about adolescence in ancient and contemporary societies. Three clinical vignettes from adolescents' psychoanalytic psychotherapy are presented in an effort to support the idea of the value and importance of mythology in adolescence in the clinical practice. Through the clinical material, we try to explore how psychic and developmental disturbances, which might lead to psychopathology, are reflected in family and personal myths and also in the mythological thinking of adolescents.