The neurologist Sigmund Freud, “The father of psychoanalysis,” invented psychoanalysis (also known as “talking cure”) in the 1890s. It is a psychotherapeutic technique that mainly “analyzes the psychic of human beings.” It is considered a method of investigating the unconscious insofar. It allows us to know the meaning of words, behaviors, and memories because human behaviors and cognition are primarily determined by instinctual drives rooted in the unconscious. Psychoanalysis discovers these unconscious drives and thoughts safely to free us from the emotional tensions that weigh in on our lives through bringing such drives into awareness. These unconscious materials manifest in dreams and unintentional acts, including mannerisms and slips of the tongue.

Benefits of Psychoanalysis: 

Psychoanalysis benefits an individual in several ways that not all types of psychotherapy do: 

In a complex society like ours, people are challenged to adapt to constant change. We are subjected to cultural, ethnic, religious, economic, and political expectations while also preserving our sense of self.  As a result, when we live through our daily lives, we do our best to protect the values, ideals, and dreams that make us unique.

Diversity is indispensable for species to survive, while on an individual level, consistency and integrity are essential for security. Those who seek psychotherapy and are mostly suffering from threats against security, loss of loved ones, conflicts with co-workers, school struggles, or financial worries all share a fundamental danger of preserving individuality. Yet, people are expected to adapt and change to the relentless pressure of conformity.

Unfortunately, many modern approaches of psychotherapy advocate on behalf of the dominant society’s definition of health. Some therapies’ goals involve helping individuals learn how to accommodate their actions and ideas to those deemed “normal.” A person “should” be extraverted, socially motivated, objective, and open to change. Admirable as these qualities might be, they are not for everybody. Likewise, psychotherapy that functions as a social conformity tool may diminish the individual’s value in favor of a socio-political agenda.

In contrast, historically, psychoanalytic therapy has advocated enhancing human diversity by nurturing a person’s self-development. This is at the heart of the benefits of psychoanalysis.

In short, psychoanalysis is a treatment and cure that serves to free us from our fears, our anxieties, and our doubts.

A psychoanalyst’s help is necessary when you want to know yourself more and explain your behaviors. In a nutshell, psychoanalysis helps you live better.

Why do we need psychoanalysis?

Anxiety, doubt, stress, sorrow, fear, and bitterness often lead us to confide in a loved one. Usually, we seek advice for our problems to avoid plunging into depression. Instead of confiding in friends, there is a better option: Psychoanalysis.

Choosing psychoanalysis is advantageous in that it provides us with answers about various aspects of our life. Freud believed that certain types of problems came from thoughts, feelings, and behaviors buried deeply in the “unconscious mind.” Meaning that the past shapes the present; therefore, an individual’s current actions are rooted in early childhood experiences.

When we continuously suppress our emotions, our subconscious mind sends a signal through the body to say that it can no longer tolerate this suppression, leading to so-called psychosomatic disorders. Moreover, we often feel sadness, anguish, or fear without an evident reason, which increases our anxiety. No symptom appears without reason, furthermore, the causes always lie in the unconscious mind, and the only way to explore the unconscious is through psychoanalysis. 

An analyst provides therapy using the principles of psychoanalytic theory. During the therapy sessions, the psychoanalyst listens as the patient discusses thoughts, fantasies, dreams and narrates experiences through free association. The psychoanalyst searches for recurring patterns or events from the past that may play a role in the patient’s current problems.

Psychoanalysts help patients tap into their unconscious minds to recover “repressed emotions and deep-seated, sometimes forgotten experiences.” By understanding their subconscious mind, patients acquire insight into the internal motivators that drive their thoughts and behaviors. Doing so enables patients to work toward changing negative, destructive behaviors.

This therapy is also suitable for patients who did not respond to other psychological or medical treatments.

In conclusion, Psychoanalysis is considered the step towards getting to know ourselves and thus the Creator, and this is what Socrates meant when he said: “Know yourself, know God.”