A debilidade mental: um estudo sobre a posição subjetiva

Abstract

This work is a theoretical investigation into the notion of mental debility in childhood, based on the contributions of Maud Mannoni. To develop this proposal, we analyze Mannoni critique of psychiatric diagnosis and its consequences for clinical work with children. The aim is to discuss how the author formulates the subjective constitution of mental debility in childhood, considering her observations on the child's relationship with the maternal fantasy. Finally, we present the author's contributions to the development of clinical reasoning in cases of childhood debility. We emphasize that the choice of the term mental debility reflects the subversion proposed by psychoanalysis regarding this clinical category, under Mannoni influence. We understand that revisiting Mannoni strengthens the discussion of a subject-oriented clinical approach and goes beyond merely descriptive models of children's symptoms. In this sense, alongside Maud Mannoni, we engage with researchers who investigate the impasses that symptomatically emerge as developmental delays. It is concluded that despite attempts to subjugate and silence the manifestation of subjectivity, we are committed to a psychoanalytic clinical approach to mental weakness that goes beyond established diagnoses, deconstructing the descriptive and deterministic view of suffering.