The art of observation: What does Jacques Lacan's mentor have to say?

This article explores the fundamental importance of clinical observation in psychiatry by assessing a case report drafted by Gaëtan Gatian de Clérambault (1872–1934) in 1901, during his internship at the Sainte-Anne Asylum (Paris, France). The detailed observation of patient M.’s complex clinical picture illustrates the method based on questioning and observation developed by de Clérambault under the influence of his mentors [notably Valentin Magnan (1835–1916)]. This approach was characterized by meticulous attention to the details of the patient's behaviour and discourse and had a profound influence on the French school of psychiatry–particularly through its impact on Jacques Lacan (1901–1981). This article highlights the importance of clinical observation in psychiatry training and emphasizes the need to learn how to “look” before making a diagnosis. It argues that an approach based on close observation and apprenticeship is essential for maintaining the richness and depth of psychiatric practice, faced with the current trend towards the rapid categorization of mental disorders. The article closes by emphasizing the importance of preserving this legacy in contemporary psychiatric training and practice.