Psychodynamic explanation of mental illness

Psychodynamic explanation

Unresolved unconscious conflicts lead to disordered emotions and behaviours:

• Overly strong id might result in reckless/excessive behaviours and/or psychosis (schizophrenia)

• Overly strong superego might result in excessive guilt/shame leading to e.g. anxiety/depression

• Defence mechanism by ego trying to protect these conflicts but can be inappropriate/harmful (e.g. repression=depression, denial=drinking/psychosis, projection=violence, regression=eating disorder/psychosis)

Psychoanalysis treatment?

Aims to bring what which is unconscious into the conscious to resolve the conflicts→ dream analysis, free association

Removes harmful defence mechanisms + relieves intensity of feelings

Dream analysis treatment?

Dream work (turns latent content into manifest content)

Symbolism (e.g. butterfly represents mother)

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