Citation

Balottin U, Rossi G. Imago 1999; 6(1): 13-19.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1999)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The Authors propose a relation between sexuality in adolescence and consequent depression and persecution, which express a failure in the psychosexual development. Various contributions regarding this topic are examined. Particular attention is dedicated to Moses Laufer theories, which foresee sexual organization, including physical maturity of genital organs in own body image, as one of the fundamental achievements to be reached in adolescence. Laufer considers the destruction of genitality, that is the destruction of the mind-body continuum, to be the essential nucleus of pathology in adolescence and more specifically the development of perversion or psychosis. The authors present two cases illustrate this theme: one adolescent aged 18 - victim of abuse with subsequent academic failure, eating disorder, and suicidal ideas. The second case regards a depressed 17 year old who attempted suicide based on the inability to accept his homosexuality.

Language: it

Keywords

Adolescence; adolescent; adult; case report; child abuse; child psychiatry; depression; Depression; eating disorder; homosexuality; human; Persecution; psychosis; review; sexuality; Sexuality; suicidal behavior