Unthinkable mourning

when refusal is a psychic transmission between generations

Abstract

The article aims to present a theoretical study, based on the research method in psychoanalysis, which addresses not only clinical theory, but clinical thinking about the idea of unthinkable mourning, manifested through a lack of significance — even more so, of symbolic and representative value — in relation to losses. This causes certain individuals to suffer great anguish and to remain in life without a sense of their own existence. This occurs
due to a failure in transmission between generations, often established by what is unspoken, by secrecy, as a psychic defense mechanism in the face of traumatizing perceptions. In this sense, the specific transmission of the defense mechanism of denial was identified as the main factor that justifies the condition of mourning being prevented from taking place, rendering thought unthinkable, in its raw state, and generating unspeakable anguish and difficulty in processing losses. This work reflects clinical thinking observed through the experience of clinical practice.