False self and borderline pathology in Winnicott's thinking: historical background and subsequent developments

Abstract

This article investigates the theoretical background of Winnicott's concepts of false self and borderline pathology in the history of psychoanalysis (reaching Ferenczi, Faribairn and H. Deutsch). Afterwards, it describes Winnicott's formulations of those concepts, pointing out their inconclusiveness. Finally, it makes an effort to develop those concepts, following Winnicott's steps and clinical evidences.