Analysand

French: analysant, psychanalysant

Before 1967 Lacan refers to the one who is "in" psychoanalytic treatment as the "patient" (Fr. patient) or the "subject", or uses the technical term (psych)analysé.

However, in 1967, Lacan introduces the etrm (psych)analysant, based on the English term '(psycho)analysand".

Lacan refers this term befcause, being derived from the gerund, it indicates that the one who lies on the counch is the one who does most of the work.

This contrasts with the old term (psych)analysé which, being derived from the passive participle, suggests either a less active participation in the analytic process, or that the analytic process has finished.

In Lacan's view, the analysand is not 'analysed' by the analyst; it is the analysand who analyzes and the task of the analyst is to help him to analyze well.

See also

• treatment