Posted by Pfinstegg on December 22, 2003, at 23:02:54
In reply to What turned me from analysis » lookdownfish, posted by badhaircut on December 22, 2003, at 22:04:26
I think the problem, for me, with taking Drew's book on Freud and thinking, from it, that all psychoanalysis is useless and even fraudulent, is that contemporary analysts don't practice anything like the way Freud did. They have lessened their emphasis on drives, conflict and aggression, and added a lot of emphasis on the interpersonal aspect of the analytic relationship. And it doesn't just meander along. I have a diagnosis of PTSD with resulting Ego State Disorder- sudden switches into very anxious and/or depressed moods. My analytic treatment has three parts: first forming a secure relationship, then exploring as much of the abuse and neglect as I am able to remember, and finally, trying to integrate these experiences into my life without the huge emotional upsets I have been having. I'm only at stage one, but getting close to stage two. This is being done by a prominent teaching and training analyst. I think he may be a bit ahead of his colleagues in his thinking and approach, but he is very highly thought of by them, so he can't be TOO far ahead!
I guess my main point is that no analyst practices the way Freud did, because it wasn't very helpful. However, the newer ways of thinking, emphasizing the importance of the analytic relationship as well as the reality of the tremendous amount of neglect, physical and sexual abuse which occurs- actually occurs, and is not just a wishful fantasy, as Freud thought, has made the various forms of psychoanalytic therapy far more effective than they originally were. There's a big range in how it's done now: some few people go everyday, with the sickest patients usually sitting up for the additional security that provides, others on the couch. A lot of people have exactly the same kind of therapy, but go once or twice a week. I'm one of those.
Pfinstegg
poster:Pfinstegg
thread:291847
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20031221/msgs/292603.html