Work on hypochondria for the subject with chronic renal failure treated by hemodialysis

Aim of the research. - Since the interiority of the body is redefined by the experience of a. chronic somatic disease and its therapies, one of the psychic approaches we propose to study is the work on hypochondria. Methodology. - We discuss here the psychotherapeutic work conducted with Bernard over a period of seven years. He had chronic renal failure and was treated by hemodialysis. Results. - Bernard led us to wonder about the poisonous nature of blood ties, of a family body that had contaminated his body and his psyche, including his genitals and his kidneys, even to his bones. This was linked to latent associations between his skeleton and the ossuary of Douaumont. In his psychotherapy, he explored turning points linked to life and death, the fantasized foundations of his flesh, and in particular his premature birth, where his physical death seemed to him comparable an explosion. Discussion. - Bernard and our daily practice in hemodialysis clinic led us to reflect on the specificities of chronic renal failure treated by hemodialysis in work on hypochondria. We also explored the accumulation of trauma, endless mourning and figures of cruelty, such as ``sur-vivance'', vampirism, haematophilia, cadaveric identification and cannibalistic introjection. Finally, we explored the transgenerational myth and primitive scenes, especially through what is inherited by and in the body. Conclusion. The bodily complaints and the work on hypochondria enable work on dreaming, extending to creation, in order to revive, re-humanize and re-objectify the subject. (C) 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.