The function of the expression "I am Unlucky" with respect to masochistic personality

Abstract

In this paper, complaints of "unluckiness," which are often heard in psychotherapy, are discussed with respect to masochistic personality. Luck is a concept that belongs to the outer world. However, the phrase "I am unlucky" can be a concept that becomes a part of one's own identity. Some clients in the therapy process, either explicitly or implicitly, express the idea that they are unluckier than other people. Seeing one's self as unluckier than others poses problems in the therapy process. The 'unluckiness' becomes a personality trait that is extremely difficult to handle, and thus, the therapist's job becomes just as difficult. Moreover, while luck is an outer world concept, unluckiness becomes a part of one's identity, and the boundary between the inner and outer worlds vanishes. In this paper, it is described how two clients in psychoanalytical-oriented therapy defined themselves as unlucky. The material from these cases is discussed using psychoanalytic concepts. An overly punitive superego, the need for punishment, death drive, and masochistic personality are the major axes of the discussion. It has been argued that in many instances where one describes him/herself as being unlucky, there may be an aggressive act in which the person aims harm at him/herself. The dynamics of this aggressive act are discussed. One of the major aspects of masochistic personality, the fantasy of "If I torture myself enough, eventually I will be loved" is also discussed. The view that the need for self-punishment or unconscious feelings of guilt may be obscuring feelings of grief is elaborated within the context of Winnicott's transition object concept. It has been argued that if the phrase "I am unlucky," which poses problems for therapists, is better understood, it may be better handled in the therapy process.