Age, rage, and the fear of AIDS. NLM AIDSLINE Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1989. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Click here to return to AIDSLINE main menu
DonateNow
Print this Article


Age, rage, and the fear of AIDS.

J Geriatr Psychiatry. 1987;20(2):125-40. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/89109917
Myers WA; Columbia University Center for Psychoanalytic Training and; Research.

Abstract: In this paper, the author has presented an in-depth case report of the ongoing analysis of an aging male homosexual, who entered analysis in his late fifties because of his fear of AIDS. This initial spur to his motivation to achieve characterological change was joined subsequently by two other factors. These were the last chance syndrome described by Pearl King (1980) and the wish to achieve a richer life than that of his father. As a result of these forces acting in confluence in his life, the patient was able to move from a lower to a higher level of object relatedness. The relationship between the intense narcissistic traumata suffered by male homosexuals on growing older, in terms of their no longer being found desirable in the world of bars and bathhouses, and their accessibility to psychotherapeutic and psychoanalytic treatment is described and discussed.
Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*PSYCHOLOGY Aging/*PSYCHOLOGY *Anger Case Report *Fear Homosexuality Human Male Middle Age Object Attachment Psychoanalytic Therapy *Rage JOURNAL ARTICLE

KWDacquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome/KWDpsychologyaging/KWDpsychologyKWDangercasereportKWDfearhomosexualityhumanmalemiddleageobjectattachmentpsychoanalytictherapyKWDragejournalarticle
890530
M8950666

Copyright © 1989 - National Library of Medicine. Reproduced under license with the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Elton John AIDS Foundation, Gill Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Quest Diagnostics, Roche and Trimeris, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1989. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 1989. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .