When we talk about Sigmund Freud, we usually remember him as the father of psychoanalysis, with his theory about the unconscious and the structure of the human personality. However, few know that Freud has also explored hypnosis in his career, especially in his early stages. In this article, we will dive into Freud’s posture regarding hypnosis during its ripe phase and understand how this approach influenced the development of psychoanalysis.
Introduction to Hypnosis
Hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness characterized by greater suggestibility and relaxation. During hypnosis, people can become more receptive to suggestions and less criticism of the information they receive. Although it is often associated with shows and entertainment, hypnosis also has therapeutic applications.
Freud initially became interested in hypnosis as a tool to access the unconscious and treat mental illnesses. He studied with Charcot in Paris and later with Bernheim in Nancy, two of the main exponents of hypnosis at the time.
Freud and Hypnosis: Initial Phase
At the beginning of his career, Freud used hypnosis as a technique to treat patients. He believed that, through hypnosis, could help patients access repressed memories and overcome trauma. However, over time, Freud began to question the effectiveness of hypnosis as a therapeutic tool.
He realized that hypnosis was unable to produce lasting results and that patients often relaxed after treatment. In addition, Freud began to worry about the role of the therapist in hypnosis, feeling that he was exerting an improper influence on patients’ thoughts and feelings.
Freud’s mature phase: abandoning hypnosis
As Freud advanced in his career, he began to develop his own theories and techniques, moving more and more from hypnosis. He began to focus on free association, dream analysis and transfer as main tools to understand the unconscious.
Freud realized that hypnosis was not necessary to access the unconscious and that the techniques he developed were more effective and ethical. He also began to see hypnosis as a form of control over patients rather than a tool to free them from their symptoms.
This change of attitude towards hypnosis reflected the evolution of Freud’s ideas about the nature of the human mind and the role of the therapist. He began to focus more on understanding patients’ internal psychic processes and less in external interventions, such as hypnosis.
Implications for psychoanalysis
Freud’s stance on hypnosis during its mature phase had profound implications for the development ofpsychoanalysis. Hypnosis rejection as a main therapeutic tool allowed Freud to focus on the creation of more subtle and effective techniques to explore the unconscious.
Psychoanalysis, as a discipline, became characterized by its unmired and non -suggestive approach, seeking to understand the psychic processes of patients through observation, attentive listening and interpretation. This marked a significant rupture with previous therapeutic practices, which often resorted to more invasive or controlling methods.
By abandoning hypnosis, Freud paved the way for a deeper understanding of the human mind and for the development of therapeutic techniques that respected the autonomy and complexity of patients. This evolution in Freud’s posture regarding hypnosis is a testimony of his commitment to the search for a deeper understanding of the human psyche.
Conclusions
Freud’s journey to hypnosis, from his initial enthusiasm to eventual rejection, is a fascinating example of how ideas and practices can evolve over time. Freud’s posture regarding hypnosis during its mature phase reflects a significant change in its understanding of the human mind and the role of the therapist.
Today, psychoanalysis remains an influential approach to psychotherapy, with its roots firmly planted in Freud’s ideas. Hypnosis rejection as a main tool was a crucial step in the development of this discipline, allowing psychoanalysts to focus on more subtle and respectful techniques to explore the unconscious.
As we continue to explore the complexities of the human mind, Freud’s posture towards hypnosis serves as an important reminder of the importance of evolution and adaptation in therapeutic practices. By seeking to better understand the internal psychic processes of individuals, we can develop more effective and ethical approaches to help people overcome their challenges and achieve greater well-being.
