Psychoanalysis Basics in the View of Z. Freud - Case Study Example

Full and section number of Freuds about the analysis and treatment of the Wolf-Man is ever considered as a remarkable clinical and theoretical achievement. The aspects of the Wolf-Man case can be explained and interpreted using a self-psychology paradigm. In the case history known as ‘The Wolf Man’ Sergei Pankejeff (a wealthy Russian aristocrat) is found to be suffering as a result of unbearable compulsions and fears as a result of his sexual development having gone awry during the childhood. Sigmund Freud concentrated on Pankejeffs attention on that particular childhood dream which brought about his early traumas and current fears. The dream involved wolves sitting in a tree outside his open bedroom window. He was highly terrified and the dream brought several effects on the patient. Doctor as well as the patient tried to analyze the wish that the dream disguised or represented. Sigmund Freud explained the case in a psychoanalytic way. Freud concentrated on the patient’s extraordinary fear of wolves and the manner in which his childhood neuroses started developing as the person crossed his childhood and became an adult. This case is a typical example of the recurrent themes of explanation appearing in the psychoanalytic theories of Freud. For example, the castration complex and the manner in which psychoanalysts explain the dream states of patients while they are carrying out a diagnosis or conducting treatment. The ‘Wolf Man’ is a typical case in which the roots of the abnormality of the patient (patient’s anxious and neurotic condition) is traced back to the experiences of his childhood and the nature of the relationships he had during that time with his close relatives (his nanny, his sister, his father, his sister) and other people with whom he had close relationship. Freud’s analysis of Wolf Man’s case says that the anxiety, fear and other neurotic conditions that prevail in an adult may be the result of the unusual experiences that he or she had in her early childhood. The ‘Wolf Man’ case is the last detailed account by Sigmund Freud that allows having a look into his evaluation of the therapeutic vectors in analysis, including the transference. When Freud determined that he had to terminate the analysis of the Wolf Man, it was, he said, because his patient “had no wish to take any step forward which would bring him nearer to the end of his treatment” (Freud, 1937, p. 217). According to Freud psychoanalysis is much more than a method of treating mental disorders. "As a depth psychology, a theory of the mental unconscious," he says, "it can become indispensable to all the sciences which are concerned with the evolution of human civilization and its major institutions such as art, religion and social order" (Freud 1949) Apart from being a therapy, psychoanalysis is a technique of understanding mental functioning and the stages of growth and development. Psychoanalysis is a general theory of individual human behavior and experience, and it has both contributed to and been enriched by many other disciplines. Psychoanalysis perfectly explains the complex relationship between the body and the mind and promotes the understanding of the function of emotions in medical illness and health. Moreover, psychoanalysis is the foundation of many other approaches to therapy. Many insights revealed by psychoanalytic treatment have formed the basis for other treatment programs in child psychiatry, family therapy, and general psychiatric practice (Farrell, 1981, p. 202) Sigmund Freud was the first psychoanalyst who recognized the real importance of unconscious mental activity. He is the one who coined the term ‘psychoanalysis,’ and he formulated all the main principles, objectives, techniques, and methodology of psychoanalysis. Freud’s interpretation of dreams revealed a different perspective of the truth behind dreams. According to Freud dreams give us access to the unconscious: when we sleep, the critical faculty that “censors’ the unconscious and represses its urges is relaxed; hence unconscious material enters consciousness via our dreams.” This insensible matter enters rarely consciousness in its pure form. This unconscious matter is often disguised and distorted, or ‘censored,’ when it is available to the conscious mind. The more flagrant the unconscious thought is, the more it is liable to distortion and censorship. According to this, we can classify dreams into different categories. 1) Dreams of which the manifest content is logical and interpretation is quite understandable and clear. 2) Dreams of which the manifest content is coherent and rational (for example, a story that is comprehensible), but of which the latent meaning is vague 3) Dreams of which the manifest content looks very unclear, senseless, and of which the latent meaning is absolutely incomprehensible (Freud Reader, 148-49). According to Freud, the last type of dreams is the most commonly appearing dreams (Freud Reader, 148-49). The unclear or insensible idea would be like an attacker or a spy who attempts to penetrate into the ‘world’ of consciousness. This foreign terrorist who wants to enter this land of sensibility require a false passport and otherwise it needs to disguise its original identity. Freud says that this ‘dream-work’ is the result of this distortion, or it may happen because of a compromise between the unconscious push or familiarity and the conscious mind. Freud explained the dialectic structured using the terms, repression, relaxation of surveillance, and the negotiation point between the two extremes (Freud Reader, 165-66). Freud’s theory of dreams says that ‘the dream work’ is intrinsically associated with the function of repression. It is the result of the struggle between, the push of the unconscious to reveal or bring out an experience (thought or imagination) and the struggle of the conscious mind to conceal or secrete this same thought, experience or happening. Freud defines the states of sleep to be a period of uproar and chaos during which the unconscious thoughts of the id attempt to force their way into consciousness (Freud, 1949, p. 38). For explaining a dream that arises from either the id or the ego certain assumptions must be made, including the acknowledgment that what is recalled from a dream is only a facade behind which the meaning must be inferred. Dreams are undoubtedly caused by conflict and are characterized by their power to bring up memories that the dreamer has forgotten their strong use of symbolism, and their ability to reproduce repressed impressions of the dreamers childhood (Freud, 1949, p. 40). In addition, dreams, which are fulfillments of wishes, according to Freud (1949), are capable of bringing up impressions that cannot have originated from the dreamers life (Freud, 1949, p. 45). Freud makes use of the example of political censorship to illustrate this example of dreams. Freud had used terms like ‘agencies’ in order to give clear explanation of this relationship. Freud’s explanation of psychoanalysis In An Outline of Psychoanalysis, Freud (1949) gave a detailed account of the principal tenets on which psychoanalytic theory is build up. He starts with the explanation of the three forces of the psychical apparatus, the id, the ego, and the superego. The id has the quality of being unconscious and contains everything that is inherited, everything that is present at birth, and the instincts (Freud, 1949, p. 14). The ego has the feature of being conscious and is accountable for controlling the demands of the id and of the instincts, becoming aware of stimuli, and serving as a link between the id and the external world. Moreover, the ego responds to stimulation by either adaptation or flight, regulates activity, and strives to achieve pleasure and avoid unpleasure (Freud, 1949, p. 14-15). Lastly, the superego, whose demands are controlled by the id, is responsible for the restriction of satisfactions and represents the influence of others, such as parents, teachers, and role models, as well as the impact of racial, societal, and cultural traditions (Freud, 1949, p. 15). Freud points out that the instincts are the ultimate cause of all behavior. The two fundamental instincts are Eros (love) and the destructive or death instinct. The purpose of Eros is to launch and preserve unity through relationships. However, the purpose of the death instinct is to undo connections and unity via destruction (Freud, 1949, p. 18). The two instincts can either operate against each other through repulsion or combine with each other through attraction (Freud, 1949, p. 19). Freud (1949) says that sexual life begins with manifestations that present themselves soon after birth (p. 23). The major four phases in sexual development are the oral phase, the sadistic-anal phase, the phallic phase, and the genital phase. Each phase is characterized by specific occurrences. During the oral phase, the individual places emphasis on providing satisfaction for the needs of the mouth, which emerges as the first erotogenic zone (Freud, 1949, p. 24). During the sadistic-anal phase, satisfaction is sought through aggression and in the excretory function. During the phallic phase, the young boy enters the Oedipus phase where he fears his father and castration while simultaneously fantasizing about sexual relations with his mother (Freud, 1949, p. 25). The young girl, in contrast, enters the Electra phase, where she experiences penis envy, which often culminates in her turning away from sexual life altogether. Following the phallic phase is a period of latency, in which sexual development comes to a halt (Freud, 1949, p. 23). Finally, in the genital phase, the sexual function is completely organized and the coordination of sexual urge towards pleasure is completed. Errors occurring in the development of the sexual function result in homosexuality and sexual perversions, according to Freud (1949, p. 27). Freud (1949) defines the qualities of the psychical process as being conscious, preconscious, or unconscious (p. 31). Ideas supposed to be conscious are those of which we are aware, yet they stay conscious only temporarily Preconscious ideas are explained as those that are capable of becoming conscious. On the other hand, unconscious ideas are defined as those that are not easily accessible but can be inferred, recognized, and explained through analysis (Freud, 1949, p. 32). The most fundamental purpose of psychoanalysis is to eliminate neuroses and thereby cure patients by returning the damaged ego to its normal state (Freud, 1949, p. 51). During analysis, a process that often takes many years, patients would voluntarily reveal to the analysts both what they feel is important and what they consider to be unimportant. A typical aspect of analysis which has both positive and negative repercussions is transference, that happens when patients view their analysts as parents, role models, or other main personalities (relationships) from their past. Transference causes patients to become concerned with pleasing their analysts and, as a result, patients lose their rational aim of getting well (Freud, 1949, p. 52). The method of psychoanalysis includes numerous significant steps. First, analysts gather material with which to work from patients free associations, results of transference, dream interpretation, and the patients slips and parapraxes (Freud, 1949, p. 56). Next, analysts begin to form hypotheses about what happened to the patients in the past and what is currently happening to them in their daily life. It is crucial that analysts convey the conclusions at which they arrive based on their observations only after the patients have reached the same conclusions on their own accord. Moreover, they should also reveal their conclusions to patients too soon, resistance due to repression occur. Overcoming this resistance requires additional time and effort by both the analysts and the patients. Once patients accept the conclusions, they are cured (Freud, 1949, p. 57). Freud (1949) also asserts that it is neither practical nor fair to scientifically define what is normal and abnormal, and despite his theorys accuracy, "reality will always remain unknowable" (p. 83). He claims that although his theory is correct to the best of his knowledge, "it is unlikely that such generalizations can be universally correct" (Freud, 1949, p. 96). In his "Précis of The Foundations of Psychoanalysis: A Philosophical Critique," Grünbaum (1986) says that "while psychoanalysis may thus be said to be scientifically alive, it is currently hardly well" (p. 228). Freuds theory lacks in empirical evidence and relies too heavily on therapeutic achievements, whereas others assert that even Freuds clinical data are flawed, inaccurate, and selective at best. Moreover, the actual method or techniques involved in psychoanalysis, such as Freuds ideas on the interpretation of dreams and the role of free association, have also been highly criticized. Some opines that psychoanalysis is simply not a science and many of the principles upon which it is based are incorrect. Psychodynamic therapy is based upon the concept that past experiences and events do have a bearing on present feelings and experiences. Moreover, former relationships and fellowships (even from the early childhood) could be repeated with other people who are encountered in the later part of life. Psychodynamic therapy translates the concepts and principles of psychoanalytic psychotherapy (psychoanalysis). In this type of therapy, the therapist would take the role of a neutral figure (as far as possible) providing less information about himself, preparing a high possibility that the haunting past and present relationship do reflect in the fellowship between the client and the therapist (Howard, 2005). This relationship would shadow all the other important relationships and would be a crucial source of insight for both client and the therapist. As a result of this, the client will be able to ‘work through’ his or her problems and difficulties (Whitmore, 2004). In this type of therapy it is quite necessary that the client develop a reliable, strong and trusting fellowship with the therapist. Cognitive-behavioral therapy on the other hand is based upon the belief of the people about themselves and the way they interpret their own beliefs and experiences. The main goal in this type of therapy is to break off all the irrational, non-positive and irrational concepts and beliefs and to abolish all sorts of negative thinking. Clients would be able to recognize their true state, the cause of their emotional upsets and their real problems. They would be able to monitor their self-defeating thoughts, the true reason that triggers them, their way of behavior and the source of their feelings. They would also start comprehending evidence and truths regarding their beliefs and thoughts and also learn to better and positive way which is realistic and encouraging. Psychoanalytic therapies include unconscious methods and exercises at the heart of the work (Jacobs, 1998). Processes of psychodynamic therapy are taken from psychoanalysis. Psychoanalytic policies analyze human growth and development and the types and nature of psychological problems. In psychoanalytic therapy therapists (they are different from analysts) work with short term as well as long term clients and they involve in broad range of settings and situations. This type of therapy makes use of the therapeutic relationship to get information about the unconscious relationship patterns that have developed in the client since his childhood. Memories, thoughts and other details about previous fellowships are analyzed to draw a picture about the current concerns. The clients would start relieving from the haunt of memories when they start comprehending the power of the unconscious and various aspects like rules of life, influencing behaviors, and instincts. As a result they would be able to control their behaviors, actions and responses. The therapeutic relationship in this type of therapy would be on the basis of acceptance, understanding, cognition and empathy giving emphasis to the building of a proper working alliance which would develop trust. The therapist would assess all the aspects of the behavior of the client (whatever happening in his real world); his original nature, sexual orientation, disability, cultural difference, social context and everything. The skills of the therapist would be very useful in the social and working environment and this overview of the human characters and behaviors would upgrade the life of the therapist. This understanding and fellowship would bring mutual benefit to both client and the therapist. “Psychodynamic therapy is rooted in psychoanalytic tradition. It relates to a rich wealth of material that helps us to understand the functioning of the human psyche, the stages of human development, and provides us with the potential for insight and understanding when things go wrong or when expectations are not fulfilled” (Wheeler, 2006). Psychodynamic therapy is associated with the way the person mislead himself as to his aims, beliefs and desires and the way these deceptions generate clashes between his conveyed goals and his actions. ‘Psychodynamic’ refers to the laws of mental action and explains that there are some rules that are the base for the coordination between the mind and action and all these rules can be interpreted according to the therapeutic intervention. Previously, the ideas of psychodynamic therapy were taken from the concepts of Sigmund Freud’s (psychoanalyst, neurologist and doctor) psychodynamic school. However, the present psychodynamic therapy has derived its points from different types of theoretical concepts. One of the most basic tenets is that people are not really aware of their original motives. If they are aware of this ‘original intentions’ they would be able to make better and more fruitful choices. But people are often found to be a failure in recognizing their true internal hidden motives. These motives are ‘unconscious motives’ according to psychodynamic theorists, and are unchangeable. Everybody has a tendency to repeat their old practices and behaviors. It is because of the memories of the earlier experiences, in which the person’s behavior helped him to repress or ignore the past difficult feelings. Psychodynamic therapy would find answers for how this incapability came up in the patient, how this problem affected his life, and why he finds it difficult to change. Psychodynamic therapy is based on interpersonal patterns, insensible thoughts, beliefs and feelings. Psychodynamic therapy includes various interpersonal approaches to psychotherapy that would analyze relational patterns to renew the person’s actions, thoughts, and feelings. These approaches may include Relationships themes Honoring resistance Childhood experiences Interpersonal interpretations Working through past Therapeutic relationship Attachment styles Subjective responses Modifying interactions Resolving conflicts Interpreting dreams New relationships Interpersonal losses/disputes Termination (Jeff Brooks-Harris and Jill Oliveira-Berry, 2006). “Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy aimed at teaching the client how to become healthier and experience a more satisfying, fulfilling lifestyle by modifying certain thought and behavior patterns. It is based on the theory that thought and behavior can affect a persons symptoms and be an obstacle to recovery” (Horwin, 2006). Cognitive therapy would find out unusual thoughts and happenings that would bring unwanted worries and feelings and non-positive behavior. The therapy would finish off all these thoughts and would introduce a different outlook and a novel perspective in the person. All distorted feelings and thoughts would be abolished and the person would get a fresh mind (Langelier, 2001). The main objective of Cognitive therapy is to change the person’s thought process bringing emotional and behavioral development. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a highly-effective, state-of-the-art, and highly focused method of psychological treatment. This type of therapy was initiated by Aaron T. Beck, M.D. in 1970s (Cognitive Therapy Associates, 2006). He was totally frustrated with the conventional mode of therapies (as it had very slow processes) and developed a fast, potential and direct approach to treatment which is the cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). The simple approach of cognitive behavioral therapy has been proven to be very successful and powerful and is found to be the best type of psychological treatment in the results. Cognitive-behavioral therapy has widespread popularity and is practiced by therapists and therapists around the world. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy that emphasizes the important role of thinking in how we feel and what we do.  Cognitive-behavioral therapist teaches that when our brains are healthy, it is our thinking that causes us to feel and act the way we do (National Association of Cognitive Behavioral Therapists, 2006). Cognitive behavioral therapy is typical therapy (an active mode pf psychotherapy) in which the patient and practitioner (therapist) interact (talk), act, and try together to attain the agreed and expected therapeutic goals. In this type of therapy, the clients would work actively throughout the sessions and would actively complete all the guided assignments that are the part of the therapy. These assignments, sessions and work outs include behavioral exercises, reading exercise and several other simple assignments. Cognitive behavioral psychotherapy would highlight the perceptions, thoughts, beliefs and interpretations which would decide the moods, interests, perceptions and feelings of the client. Cognitive behavioral therapy would thus help the client to understand, recognize, and revise his belief systems and also would help him get rid of his self-defeating and negative behaviors, making his life more happy and successful. Works Cited American Psychoanalytic Association. About psychoanalysis. 31 Jan. 1998 Cognitive Therapy Associates (2006) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Therapy Associates. Colby, K. M. An introduction to psychoanalytic research. New York: Basic, 1960. 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