The symptom as an ally: the functions of the symptom

Journal title RIVISTA DI PSICOTERAPIA RELAZIONALE
Author/s Carmelo Panebianco, Lidia Manganaro, Paola Siracusano, Michela Panebianco
Publishing Year 2026 Issue 2025/62
Language Italian Pages 9 P. 91-99 File size 79 KB
DOI 10.3280/PR2025-062012
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Panebianco, Manganaro and Siracusano defined the symptom as irrational, involuntary, and unaware behaviour, but, above all, ineffective in producing a change. It, therefore, contains within itself an aspect of maintenance (morphostatic function of the symptom) and one of change (morphogenetic function of the symptom). Together with these two aspects, symptomatic behaviour allows for the identification of a symbolic/metaphorical aspect (the metaphorical aspect of the symptom). The article proposes a model to facilitate the identification of the functions of the symptom. To this end, a clinical case will be illustrated.

Keywords: pragmatic aspect of the symptom, morphostatic and morphogenetic function of the symptom, metaphorical aspect of the symptom.

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Carmelo Panebianco, Lidia Manganaro, Paola Siracusano, Michela Panebianco, Il sintomo come alleato: le funzioni del sintomo in "RIVISTA DI PSICOTERAPIA RELAZIONALE " 62/2025, pp 91-99, DOI: 10.3280/PR2025-062012