A perpetual state of almost

Abstract

ABSTRACT Mr. B came to analysis describing what he called a perpetual state of almost, a feeling of almost living, both intrapsychically and intersubjectively. The perpetual state of Almost is a state in-between presence with the Other and absence from the Other. It is a state in-between a sense of self, and an absence of self. This paper proposes a deeper understanding of the defensive, insulating structure of this in-between gap, examining what enabled it to change from a static, inert state into a transient, fluid one, oscillating between states of presence and absence as a vehicle for transformation.