Overview

Above the Ground and Beneath the Clouds examines the history, conceptualisation, and treatment of the psychotic sub-type of schizophrenia, as this is advocated by psychoanalysis of Lacanian orientation, which is contrasted to modern psychiatry. The book's main focus is the status of the schizophrenic body and language. The ways in which these concepts can be of theoretical and clinical use in contemporary clinical settings are examined throughout.The book consists of three parts. The first part comprises the theoretical investigation of schizophrenia in early 20th century psychiatry and in the theory and teaching of Freud, Lacan, and other influential psychoanalysts. The second part presents the fascinating case of the late 19th century Greek writer Georgios Vizyenos, who invented an extraordinary way to anchor the body before his admission to a psychiatric institution in 1896. The third part discusses the implications of those findings for the contemporary psychoanalytic diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia.Assisted by examples from the author's clinical experience and from literature and art, this book sheds invaluable light on probably the most obscure sub-type of psychosis. It will be of help to academics, clinicians, trainees, and anyone who is interested in the way contemporary psychoanalysis approaches the persistently challenging subject of madness.

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9781782205166

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Reviews

"""In the course of the book, Grammatopolous makes important distinctions between psychotic sub-types, including paranoia and melancholia. His book is to be strongly recommended to those seeking a summation of the many rich and varied things that Lacanian psychoanalysis can offer to the field of the psychoses. It may also be of interest to readers seeking clinical alternatives to the pills and ‘psychoeducation’ of mainstream mental health, delivered from a paradigm that is as theoretically rigorous as it is respectful of individual particularity."" - David Ferraro"

'Yannis Grammatopoulos's rigorous analysis of Georgios Vizyenos's biography and literary work provides us with a new direction and understanding for the diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia. This book is an important history of schizophrenia from Freud to Lacan that problematises some contemporary psychoanalytic responses to psychosis and helps us differentiate between inventions that emphasise the symbolic and those that emphasise the real. Elaborating with welcome clarity Lacan's theories of knotting, the sinthome and lalangue, Grammatopoulos provides an invaluable account of the clinical relevance of the later Lacan and of the importance of the schizophrenic's own invention in any attempt of recovery.'- Anne Worthington, Centre for Psychoanalysis, Middlesex University, and Centre for Freudian Analysis and Research'Yannis Grammatopoulos's book manages to achieve three things, in one expertly executed stroke: to trace the development of the clinical category schizophrenia within psychiatry and psychoanalysis; to introduce to the English reader, as a salient case example, the life and work of the Greek writer Georgio Vizyenos; and, finally, to suggest an approach to the treatment of schizophrenic patients via a thorough reading of Lacan's work. His book will make a valuable contribution to the theoretical understanding and clinical practice of anyone interested in psychoanalytic work with psychosis.'- Werner Prall, PhD, Middlesex University and the Guild of Psychotherapists, London

In the course of the book, Grammatopolous makes important distinctions between psychotic sub-types, including paranoia and melancholia. His book is to be strongly recommended to those seeking a summation of the many rich and varied things that Lacanian psychoanalysis can offer to the field of the psychoses. It may also be of interest to readers seeking clinical alternatives to the pills and 'psychoeducation' of mainstream mental health, delivered from a paradigm that is as theoretically rigorous as it is respectful of individual particularity. - David Ferraro

In the course of the book, Grammatopolous makes important distinctions between psychotic sub-types, including paranoia and melancholia. His book is to be strongly recommended to those seeking a summation of the many rich and varied things that Lacanian psychoanalysis can offer to the field of the psychoses. It may also be of interest to readers seeking clinical alternatives to the pills and `psychoeducation' of mainstream mental health, delivered from a paradigm that is as theoretically rigorous as it is respectful of individual particularity. - David Ferraro

Author Information

Yannis Grammatopoulos, MSc, PhD, is a psychologist and a psychoanalyst. He was born in Greece and completed his psychoanalytic training under the auspices of the Institute of the Freudian Field-Lacanian orientation. Dr Grammatopoulos has worked as a clinician with a variety of vulnerable populations, from mental health patients to detained illegal immigrants. He currently teaches psychology in higher education and he is a member of the Hellenic Society of the New Lacanian School.

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