Routledge Betrayal: Developmental, Literary, and Clinical Realms

Betrayal underlies all psychic trauma, whether sexual abuse or profound neglect, violence or treachery, extramarital affair or embezzlement. When we betray others, we violate their confidence in us. When others betray us, they pierce the veil of our innocent reliance. Betraying and feeling betrayed are ubiquitous to the scenarios of trauma and yet surprisingly neglected as a topic of specific attention by psychoanalysis.This book fills this gap. The first part deals with developmental aspects and notes that while the experience of betrayal might be ubiquitous in childhood, its lack of recognition by the parents is what leads to fixation upon it. Attention is also given to Oedipally-indulged and seduced children who feel betrayed later in the course of their development. Feelings of betrayal during early adolescence are also discussed. This section of the book closes with an account of situations where our bodies betray us. The realms of body image betrayal, body self betrayal, and the body's ultimate betrayal via physical death are addressed. Review "With characteristic poignancy and poeticism, Salman Akhtar and his contributors signify betrayal, mine its phenomenology, decipher its scars, and formulate the fixations and transmissions patterned in its wake. Incisive and broadly humane, these essays lead us to sites of corruption and the particular ways they "pierce the veils of our innocent reliance." Read this book and wander through the realms of human treachery. Though often disturbing, you will be a better clinician for it."--Andrea Celenza, PhD, Assistant Clinical Professor at Harvard Medical School, Faculty"Given the prominence in the Western cultural imagination of such victims of betrayal as Oedipus and Jesus, and given Freud's own sense of betrayal by the likes of Adler, Jung, Rank and others, it is surprising that this topic has received so little attention in the psychoanalytic literature. Perhaps the theme of betrayal has been just too close to home. Salman Akhtar's illuminating essay on the compulsion to betray and the need to be betrayed forms the centerpiece of this collection of insightful papers that approach this important topic from developmental, literary and clinical perspectives."--Donald L. Carveth, PhD, Emeritus Professor of Sociology and Social & Political Thought, York University; Director About the Author Salman Akhtar