What Disorders Can Psychoanalysis Treat?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,
  • Depression.
  • Generalised anxiety.
  • Sexual problems.
  • Self-destructive behaviour.
  • Persistent psychological problems, disorders of identity.
  • Psychosomatic disorders.
  • Phobias.
  • Obsessive compulsive disorders.

Who is psychoanalysis most helpful for?

Simply put, psychoanalysis is a treatment for

those who are suffering and in emotional pain

. It offers a unique kind of help for those who have been trying to cope with their difficulties but have found that they can’t do it on their own and have had limited success with other treatment approaches.

What does psychoanalytic treat?

Psychoanalysis is commonly used to treat

depression and anxiety disorders

. In psychoanalysis (therapy) Freud would have a patient lie on a couch to relax, and he would sit behind them taking notes while they told him about their dreams and childhood memories.

What disorders did Freud treat?

Freud was initially especially interested in what was then called hysteria (now known as conversion syndrome), but expanded his work to other forms of neurosis, especially

obsessive-compulsive disorder

.

Which illness would benefit from psychoanalytic therapy?

People with

depression, emotional struggles

, emotional trauma, neurotic behavior patterns, self-destructive behavior patterns, personality disorders, or ongoing relationship issues, may benefit from psychoanalytic therapy.

What are the disadvantages of psychoanalysis?

  • Certain ideas, such as “penis envy,” are outdated.
  • Patients may find it both painful and unpleasant to discover memories that they have repressed, sometimes for many years.

What are three major ideas in psychoanalysis?

Psychoanalytic theory divides the psyche into three functions: the

id—unconscious source of primitive sexual, dependency, and aggressive impulses

; the superego—subconsciously interjects societal mores, setting standards to live by; and the ego—represents a sense of self and mediates between realities of the moment and …

What is the main focus of psychoanalysis?

Psychoanalysis is defined as a set of psychological theories and therapeutic techniques that have their origin in the work and theories of Sigmund Freud. 1 The core of psychoanalysis is the belief that

all people possess unconscious thoughts, feelings, desires, and memories

.

Does psychoanalysis really work?

Although not generally known and surprising to some, the effectiveness of psychoanalysis has been researched repeatedly in recent decades. Several surveys of the research have shown large Effect Sizes* (ESs) with

60% and 90% of the

patients deriving meaningful and lasting improvement in symptoms.

Who should see a psychoanalyst?

All of the usual reasons someone might consult with

any mental health professional

are good reasons for seeing a psychoanalyst, to get the most comprehensive assessment of one’s problems. This includes symptoms and feelings of anxiety, depression, panic attacks, obsessions and compulsions.

What are neurotic symptoms?

People with neuroticism tend to have more depressed moods and suffer from

feelings of guilt, envy, anger, and anxiety

more frequently and more severely than other individuals. They can be particularly sensitive to environmental stress. People with neuroticism may see everyday situations as menacing and major.

What will happen if a person’s id impulses are always high?

For example, an individual with an overly dominant id might become

impulsive, uncontrollable, or even criminal

. Such an individual acts upon their most basic urges with no concern for whether their behavior is appropriate, acceptable, or legal.

What are the benefits of psychoanalysis?

Benefits of Psychoanalytic Therapy

The

therapist creates an empathetic and nonjudgmental atmosphere

in which the client feels comfortable disclosing feelings or acts that have caused stress and difficulties in his or her life. Sharing these burdens in the sense of a therapeutic partnership may also be helpful.

What is the difference between psychoanalysis and psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy

attempts to restore a persons relationship to the social norms and regulations

, while psychoanalysis works to restore a person’s relationship to their sexuality. Psychotherapy works to strengthen the ego, while psychoanalysis works to strengthen the subject’s relationship to their own unconscious.

What happens in a psychoanalysis session?

In psychoanalysis, the therapist serves as a blank slate for the client. The therapist may ask questions or prompt reflection, but they will not offer advice. Instead, the therapist’s job is

to reflect your concerns and help you spot patterns in your thoughts and behavior

.

What is an example of psychoanalysis?

Some of the examples of psychoanalysis include:

A 20-year old, well-built and healthy, has a seemingly irrational fear of mice

. The fear makes him tremble at the sight of a mouse or rat. He often finds himself in embarrassing situations because of the fear.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.