PSYCHOANALYSIS – BASICS

Introduction:

• Term “psychoanalysis” – 
• Coined by Sigmund Freud – “Father of psychoanalysis” – Freud (1856-1939).
• Lived in Vienna.

Psychoanalysis: 

• A theory stating “childhood experiences & memories & unconscious mental activity (the activity of mind which we are not aware of)”. 
• Determines human behavior, emotions & development of psychiatric disorders.
• Treatment methods psychiatric disorders are based on psychoanalysis.
• History:
• Development of psychoanalysis theory – Developed by Freud during his hysteria treatment.
• Technique used: 
• “Free association” 
• The patient is asked to say whatever came into their minds without thoughts censoring.

Important points on development:

• Parapraxis:
• Freud gave a lot of importance to “slips of the tongue” (parapraxis).
• Slips are not simple mistakes but conveyed important information on the unconscious mind.
• Transferences:
• A combination of feelings patient had for figures from past & real feelings for the clinician.
• Feeling a patient develops for the doctor. 
• Countertransference:
• Feeling that clinician develops for the patient.
• Significance:
• Psychoanalytic treatment by Freud uses principles of transference & countertransference.

Topographical Theory of Mind: 

• In 1900, Freud published the book “Interpretation of dreams”.
• Dreams – Meaningful & by understanding dreams, one can understand the unconscious mind of an individual.
• The theory proposed the topographical theory of mind.
• According to this theory mind divided into three regions:
• The conscious – 
• Part of mind which is accessible to us & aware of the contents of the conscious mind.
• The preconscious – 
• Content of preconscious mind not normally available to us, but can be recalled or brought into awareness by focusing attention.
• Barrier – Repression doesn’t allow the contents of the unconscious mind to reach a conscious mind.
• The unconscious – 
• Not accessible to an individual & contains instinctual drives (i.e. drives & desires one is born with)sexual instinct & aggressive instinct.
• Repression barrier present.
• Characterized by “primary process thinking”. 
• The mind wants immediate ‘wish fulfillment” & instinctual discharge (wants all desires & instincts be fulfilled immediately without considering consequences).
• Usually illogical & contradictory.