El cuerpo como síntoma y objeto paradojas de la masificación del cuerpo en la problemática transexual

Abstract

Starting from some considerations about the use of “gender” as a diagnostic category, this paper suggests some ideas on the clinical work with transsexual people. First, the “transsexual choice” of the body as a “medium” of symptom and an object of both rejection and self-identification is emphasized. Then, this kind of choice is considered in its capability of allowing a conversion of the transsexual’s self-disclosure into an external representation. On this respect, by means of the social, cultural and medical homogenization, the profound identity suffering receives a different possibility of expression and, paradoxically, a type of support and solution. Therefore an acting out through the body, confirmed by a chirurgical correction, shows a solution perpetrated to the body-object’s detriment, that collides with and cancels the subjective and intrapsychic dimension. In this context, the ability to reflect on psychic processes, considered as a specific psychological tool, is checkmated and the psychological activity is endangered too. Moreover, the professionist of mental health is forced to face off an ambigous and paradoxical request.