Title: Fagioli's human birth theory and the possibility to cure mental illness

Authors: Irene Calesini

Addresses: Centro Salute Mentale ASL Roma 5, Via dell'Areonautica 53, 00015 Monterotondo (RM), Italy

Abstract: This paper deals with Fagioli's human birth theory and its implications on mental health. The first relevance of his theory lies in the discovery and formulation that human life and psychic activity begin at birth, with the reaction of the biological matter to light, an inanimate reality which is absent in the foetal condition. The dynamics that this theory demonstrates is common to all human beings as it represents the physiology of birth, in which body and mind arise together. Since his first book 'Death Instinct and Knowledge' (1972), Fagioli stated that mental illness is not a condition men are destined to, but rather a pathology that can be treated and cured through psychotherapy. Mental illness is a disease affecting the irrational, non-conscious dimension, determined by a deficiency of affection in early human relationships. This psychotherapeutic approach could provide new perspectives and possibilities for healthcare services and prevention policies.

Keywords: human birth theory; mental health; well-being; annulment pulsion; vitality; capability to react; capability to imagine; disappearance fantasy.

DOI: 10.1504/IJENVH.2017.086188

International Journal of Environment and Health, 2017 Vol.8 No.3, pp.185 - 192

Received: 24 Apr 2017
Accepted: 28 Apr 2017
Published online: 29 Aug 2017 *

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