The psychiatrist came to see Anna this afternoon. She has seen a significant deterioration. Then she was worried that I might be shocked, when she gets to talk about prognosis at next week’s review meeting.
Instead I felt some relief at what she said.
I know that Anna has deteriorated because I am feeling different when I am with her. Every time there is a significant change, from the early days when she used to lose her keys in her bag, I have felt a metabolic upset – and then when I have understood the difference, I have been able to cope. At the moment I am having to go out the room and shout obscenities at the wall. It’s not very scientific as an observation, or perhaps it is. Projective identification is a very effective communication:, and this is a live example. This is new and strange behaviour for me, so I know there is something new and strange going on with her.