Freudian theory

freud - pre psychoanalytic period

hysterical symptoms ← psychological processes (induced in hypnoid states)

the psychological contents (that cause symptoms) = unconscious memories of past traumatic events

unconscious contents → symbolical expression through symptoms 

trauma

creates a hypnoid states - dissociation

theory of seduction

traumatic states that cause the symptoms have always a sexual content

the psychoanalytic breakthrough

• abandons the theory of traumatic origins of neurosis

• the unconscious meaning of symptoms lies in mental contents repressed owing to their unacceptable meaning

• trauma comes from within (affective origin)

desire-defense model of neurosis

symptoms are created by unconscious mechanisms of defences aimed at protecting the Ego from emotionally upsetting mental contents

dynamic view of the mental functioning

the basic conflict between opposite tendencies:

sexuality and adaptation to civilization

economic point of view

the mental apparatus/nervous system, just like any other physical system (1^st principle of dynamics), functions in order to get rid of the excitement/energy coming from outside stimulation

Inertia principle 

The MA basic response based on the model of the motor reflex allows to eliminate the stimuli from external perceptive stimuli

Constance principle

Because real bodily needs (hunger, breathing, sexuality) cannot be satisfied by immediate discharge, the psyche must hold back energy (inhibition) long enough to think, plan, and carry out a “specific action” that changes the external world to meet the need.

the dynamic point of view

every psychic phenomenon has to be considered as the clue of a deeper game of psychic tendencies in conflict with each other

discharge of psychic energy

generates pleasure

increase of psychic tension

generates displeasure

pleasure principle

in the absence of the possibility to carry out a specific action, the discharge is obtained through the retrieval of the representation of past experience that determined satisfaction, and this generates a momentary and primary source of discharge in fantasy: hallucinatory, satisfaction=desire but not yet thought.

It follows the laws of primary process (immediate discharge)

reality principle

• the momentary satisfaction ends up in further accumulation of tension since the fantasy does not cause a real modification of internal states. The ego is a mental structure that develops in order to match actual perception with the hallucinatory satisfaction: desire is inhibited (repression), and its satisfaction is procrastinated to a most suitable moment (origin of thought).

• The secondary process takes into account external conditions for needs satisfaction.

• It works in the service of survival, adjustment to social interactions, and civilization.

repressed desires

creates anxiety in the Ego (due to the definite frustration)

topological point of view 

mental content can be seen as belonging to one of three regions, each one working in a specific mode

conscious

contents that are currently present at the subject’s attention.

It follows the reality principle and secondary process

preconscious

contents that are not present in the conscious experience but that can be easily part of it if attention is drawn to them

unconscious 

contents that were once conscious but that became unconscious due to the action of repression. They are not accessible to consciousness because they are kept in that state by the psychic censorship.

It follows the pleasure principle and works at the level of primary process.

psychosexuality

• any psychic activity leading to organ pleasure

• any process of bodily needs satisfaction

• drive: any form of bodily stimulation is experienced as an unpleasurable tension, making a demand of work on the psyche

• pleasure = the discharge of this tension originating from bodily stimulation

initial psychosexual seek for pleasure

focus on bodily functions necessary for survival

oral phase

1 yo

source: oral stimulation

goal: discharge through sucking

anal phase

1 - 3 yo

source: anal stimulation

goal: discharge through retention (expulsion of feces)

phallic phase

4 - 6 yo

source: stimulation of clitoridis and penis

goals: discharge through masturbation and OEDIPAL fantasies of coupling with the opposite/same sex parent and rivalry with the other parent

latency phase

total inhibition of sexual drives and repression of sexual fantasies

genital phase 

activation at puberty of the instinct of reproduction, reprise of previous fantasies and activities under the sway of genital coupling

organ pleasure

• is a part of the normal scenery of genital sexuality in the form of preliminary

• prevail in perversions

neurosis

• too much or too little satisfaction in a certain stage creates a fixation - a place your mind can easily fall back to later

• adaptive repression packs away those old fantasies so you can move on to later stages and act more mature

• access to puberty and genital drives lead to new possible experiences

• when current life feels too hard, the psyche retreats to the old, familiar mode of pleasure - the path of least resistance

• the new intensity overwhelms repression, and early fantasies or impulses briefly resurface

• secondary repression pushes those resurfacing fantasies back into the unconscious to stop the anxiety

but

• since the emotion can’t discharge directly, it leaks out in disguised forms - anxiety, compulsions, obsessions, bodily symptoms, or irrational fears