Selected papers on hysteria and other psychoneurosesFreud, Sigmund
Science
Selected papers on hysteria and other psychoneuroses
Freud, Sigmund
Hysteria; Neuroses; Psychoanalysis
The delusional formations of paranoiacs containing the greatness and
sufferings of their own ego, which manifest themselves quite typically
in almost monotonous forms are universally familiar. Furthermore,
through numerous communications we became acquainted with the peculiar
organizations by means of which certain perverts put into operation
their sexual gratifications, be it in fancy or reality. On the other
hand it may sound rather novel to some to hear that quite analogous
psychic formations regularly appear in all psychoneuroses, especially in
hysteria, and that these so called hysterical fancies show important
relations to the causation of the neurotic symptoms.
Of the same source and of the normal prototype are all these fantastic
creations, so called reveries of youth, which have already gained a
certain consideration in the literature, though not a sufficient
one.[58] They are perhaps equally frequent in both sexes; in girls and
women they seem to be wholly of an erotic nature, while in men they are
of an erotic or ambitious nature. Yet even in men the significance of
the erotic moment is not to be put in the second place, for on examining
more closely the reveries of men we generally learn that all these
heroic acts are accomplished, that all these successes are acquired in
order to please a woman and to be preferred to other men.[59] These
fancies are wish gratifications which emanate from privation and
longing. They are justly named “day dreams” for they give the key for
the understanding of night dreams in which the nucleus of the dream
formation is produced by just such complicated, disfigured day fancies
which are misunderstood by the conscious psychic judgment.[60]
These day dreams are garnished with great interest, are cautiously
nurtured, and coyly guarded, as if they were numbered among the most
intimate estates of personality. On the street, however, the day dreamer
can be readily recognized by a sudden, as if absent minded smile, by
talking to himself, or by a running-like acceleration of his gait
wherein he designates the acme of the imaginary situation.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account