Citation

Martens WH. Psychoanal. Rev. 2011; 98(4): 493-514.

Affiliation

Henk van Tienhovenstraat 67, 6543JB, Nijmegen, Netherlands. E-mail: martens_92@hotmail.com.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Guilford Publications)

DOI

10.1521/prev.2011.98.4.493

PMID

21864144

Abstract

In this article the psychodynamic link between loneliness and sadism is examined on basis of a case report of the sadistic and cannibalistic serial killer Jeffery Dahmer. Envy, shame/rage mechanism, a disturbed oral-sadistic development, castration fear and severe feelings of inferiority, the conviction of being unlovable and unacceptable, need to diminish tension, powerful and sadistic fantasies as a consequence of inadequate and frustrated parenting, and reality distortion appear to be involved in sadistic etiology.

Language: en