(Ridgeview Institute and the International Society for the Study of Dissociation, 1995-03) Tendler, Rebecca
Narcissistic injury is a major component of the sequelae of child abuse. The disregard of the child's basic needs disturbs the development of self-esteem and the ability to function effectively. The field of self psychology describes the effects of narcissistic injury on children and presents therapeutic methods for use within the transference that address the consequent damage to the self. This paper will outline the theory and methodology of self-psychology and discuss its application to the treatment of narcissistic injury in Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) patients. Peculiarities of working within the transference(s) with DID patients will be discussed.
