Selected papers on hysteria and other psychoneurosesFreud, Sigmund
Science
Selected papers on hysteria and other psychoneuroses
Freud, Sigmund
Hysteria; Neuroses; Psychoanalysis
Another manifestation which can be repeatedly observed refers to the
patient’s independent reproductions. It can be asserted that not a
single reminiscence comes to the surface during such an analysis which
has no significance. An interposition of irrelevant memory pictures
having no connection with the important associations does not really
occur. An exception not contrary to the rule may be postulated for those
reminiscences which, though in themselves unimportant, are indispensable
as intercalations, since the associations between two related
reminiscences passed through them only.—As mentioned above, the period
during which a reminiscence abides in the pass of the patient’s
consciousness is directly proportionate to its significance. A picture
which does not disappear requires further consideration; a thought which
cannot be abolished must be followed further. A reminiscence never
recurs if it has been adjusted, a picture spoken away cannot be seen
again. However, if that does happen it can be definitely expected that
the second time the picture will be joined by a new content of thought,
that the idea will contain a new inference which will show that no
perfect adjustment has taken place. On the other hand, a recurrence of
different intensities, at first vaguely then quite plainly, often
occurs, but it does not, however, contradict the assertion just
advanced.
If the object of the analysis is to remove a symptom (pains, symptoms
like vomiting, sensations and contractures) which is capable of
aggravation or recurrence, the symptom shows during the work the
interesting and not undesirable phenomenon of “joining in the
discussion.” The symptom in question reappears, or appears with greater
intensity, as soon as one penetrates into the region of the pathogenic
organization containing the etiology of this symptom, and it continues
to accompany the work with characteristic and instructive fluctuations.
The intensity of the same (let us say of a nausea) increases the deeper
one penetrates into its pathogenic reminiscence; it reaches its height
shortly before the latter has been expressed, and suddenly subsides or
disappears completely for a while after it has been fully expressed. If
through resistance the patient delays the expression, the tension of the
sensation of nausea becomes unbearable, and, if the expression cannot be
forced, vomiting actually sets in. One thus gains a plastic impression
of the fact that the vomiting takes the place of a psychic action (here
that of speaking) just as was asserted in the conversion theory of
hysteria.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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