Revisiting Dora's case

Classical psychoanalytic cases

Abstract

In this article, the author reflects on the case of Dora, a young patient treated by Freud, whose essay "Fragment of an Analysis of Hysteria (Dora)" was published in 1905. A revision of Dora's analysis highlights the differences between hysterical and psychosomatic symptoms, which are particularly indistinguishable in hysteria. Contemporary authors continue to explore and revise this clinical case and highlight paradoxical defences in hysteria such as: counteridentification, desire for unmet desire, inversion of manipulation, representation seeking and risk of depression if unsuccessful. In this article, Dora's case is discussed with reference to contemporary psychoanalytic research, particularly that of the Paris Psychosomatic School.