Under the Skin: A Psychoanalytic Study of Body Modification

by Alessandra Lemma

Alessandra Lemma - Winner of the Levy-Goldfarb Award for Child Psychoanalysis! Under the Skin considers the motivation behind why people pierce, tattoo, cosmetically enhance, or otherwise modify their body, from a psychoanalytic perspective. It discusses how the therapist can understand and help individuals for whom the manipulation of the body is felt to be psychically necessary, regardless of whether the process of modification causes pain. In this book, psychoanalyst Alessandra Lemma draws on her work in the consulting room, as well as films, fiction, art and clinical research to suggest that the motivation for extensively modifying the surface of the body, and being excessively preoccupied with its appearance, comes from the person’s internal world – under their skin. Topics covered Under the Skin provides a detailed study of the challenges posed by our embodied nature through an exploration of the unconscious phantasies that underlie the need for body modification, making it essential reading for all clinicians working with those who are preoccupied with their appearance and modify their bodies including psychotherapists, counsellors, psychiatrists and psychologists.

Genres: Psychology, Psychoanalysis, Nonfiction

216 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Daphne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting and detailed take on body modifications, plastic surgery, piercings, tattoos etc. and how these can be thought about through the spectrum of Psychoanalysis.
Written by one of my favorite current psychoanalysts, it's relatively easy to follow although it can deal with complicated topics and concepts that take a few rereads to grasp.
Lemma is thoughtful, speaks of theories suggested by other psychoanalysts and isn't dogmatic in her suggestions.
Always enjoy the patient vignettes.

[Landon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I never consider reading a book like this, but I thought it was a clear and important topic.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

Horribly contrived conclusions. It's possible to justify any conclusion, but that doesn't mean your conclusions are right.

[Terra · Rating 4 out of 5]

interessante. piercing, tatuaggi, chirurgia estetica: quando sfociano nella patologia bisogna andare a cercare la mamma (cherchez la femme). per fortuna ho letto questo libro dopo aver ampiamente svezzato le mie figlie, altrimenti avrei sorvegliato con terrore ogni mio gesto e sguardo.