The delirium and its function in a case of psychosis

Abstract

In psychosis, there is a subject of language, which through the delirium, tries to rebuild a place for its own existence somewhere in the world. The role the delirium plays in psychosis is discussed in this paper, focusing on the case study of a patient treated at a CAPS of Ilha do Maranhão (MA). The discussion is guided by Freud’s, and specifically Lacan’s theories, on the clinic of psychosis. The life stories and the admittance of the patient into CAPS are contextualized, in order to address the development of the delirium. It discusses how the patient’s relationship with a “pai-de-santo”, and the hope of one with a preacher, were attempts to substitute the signifier Name-of-the-Father. The patient’s delusional construction provides a link to the patient’s questions. Not listening to the delirium, which is necessary, interferes with the evaluation of the patient’s addressing to the mental health service.

Keywords: psychosis, delirium, signifier Name-of-the-Father.