Editing Infatuation (section)

==In transference==

In [[psychoanalysis]], a sign that the method is taking hold is "the initial infatuation to be observed at the beginning of treatment",<ref>[[Jacques Lacan]], ''Ecrits: A Selection'' (London 1997) p.&nbsp;241.</ref> the beginning of [[transference]]. The patient, in [[Freud]]'s words, "develops a special interest in the person of the doctor&nbsp;... never tires in his home of praising the doctor and of extolling ever new qualities in him".<ref>Sigmund Freud, ''Introductory Lectures in Psychoanalysis'' (PFL 1) p.&nbsp;491.</ref> What occurs, "it is usually maintained&nbsp;... is a sort of false love, a shadow of love", replicating in its course the infatuations of "what is called true love".<ref>Jacques Lacan, ''The Four Fundamental Concepts of Psycho-Analysis'' (London 1993) p.&nbsp;123.</ref>

However, psychoanalyst [[Janet Malcolm]] claims that it is wrong to convince the patient "that their love is an illusion&nbsp;... that it's not you she loves. Freud was off base when he wrote that. It ''is'' you. Who else could it be?"<ref>[[Janet Malcolm]], ''Psychoanalysis: The Impossible Profession'' (London 1988) p.&nbsp;149.</ref>—thereby taking "the question of what is called true love&nbsp;... further than it had ever been taken".<ref>Lacan, ''Fundamental'' p.&nbsp;123.</ref>

Conversely, in [[countertransference]], the therapist may become infatuated with his/her client: "very good-looking&nbsp;... she was the most gratifying of patients. She made literary allusions and understood the ones he made&nbsp;... He was dazzled by her, a little in love with her. After two years, the analysis ground down to a horrible halt".<ref>Malcolm, p.&nbsp;79.</ref>