Edoardo Weiss

Edoardo Weiss (1889-1970) was the earliest Italian psychoanalyst, and the founder of psychoanalysis in Italy. His most important theoretical contributions were perhaps to the development of ego state theory.
Weiss’s first article, on the psychodynamics of asthma attacks, was published in 1922, and was followed over the next two decades by seven more, on subjects ranging from acting out to the fear of blushing. In 1950 he published his general survey, Principles of Psychoanalysis; in 1964 he published Agoraphobia in the light of ego psychology; and in 1970 he published the semi-autobiographic Sigmund Freud as a Consultant.
Weiss introduced the concept of destrudo into psychoanalysis, as well as that of psychic presence: the mental awareness of the internalised image of another ego, often parental, in oneself. From this and other studies in ego states stemmed his major influence on such later figures as Eric Berne and John G. Watkins.