Mind-brain and body in the self: psychoanalytic perspectives.

In attempting to think about the nature of the self in psychoanalysis, exploration of the issues involved leads inevitably to consideration of the mind–body relation and its implications for understanding the self. In previous reflections, I have discussed the varieties of mind–body relation proposed by various theorists (Meissner, 2003b) as well as the vagaries of thinking about the mind–body relation found in Freud (Meissner, 2003c) and among subsequent analysts who have reflected on the matter (Meissner, 2003d). Subsequent exploration of neuroscientific findings relevant to the mind–brain problem (Meissner, 2006a, 2006b), of conclusions from the study of brain dysfunction in forms of psychopathology and dreaming (Meissner, 2006c) and of aspects of psychosomatic functioning (Meissner, 2006d) led to the conclusion that traditional dualistic and monistic resolutions of the mind–body problem were insufficient. I (Meissner, 2006c) stated my tentative conclusion in the following terms: