Jungs Neo Psychodynamic Theory - Essay Example

Jung’s Neo Psychodynamic Theory A. of the Condition Phobia originated from the Greek word “phobos”, which means fear (MedicinNet.com 2000). It is a condition that manifest into an anxiety or dread of something in particular that is commonly difficult for an individual experiencing the fear to deal with (MedicineNet.com 2000). Therapists and psychiatrists characterize phobia as an “anxiety disorder” which projects illogical fear of a certain circumstance or particular object that gives rise to relentless anxiety, which in most situations are irrational or needless (Phobia Variations Defined and Explained, n.d.). There are two main types of phobias, which are as follows: 1) specific phobia and 2) the social phobia (Phobia Variations Defined and Explained, n.d.). Commonly, specific phobia is a continuing and unfounded fear coupled with a strong sense of desire to steer clear of specific situations or objects (Phobia Variations Defined and Explained, n.d.). The extensive assortment of stimulus that may elicit the fear is usually lesser than in other types of phobia disorders, hence, specific phobias are also called simple phobias (Phobia Variations Defined and Explained, n.d.). Social phobia on the other hand is a “social anxiety disorder,” which if apparent in children is likewise termed “avoidant disorder” (Phobia Variations Defined and Explained, n.d.). People who experience social phobias are fearful of social activities like meetings, parties, making complaints, interacting with others, etc. Most individuals who suffer from this disorder believe that they are being scrutinized and assessed by others once they are out in public, that is why they shun to be within the midst of others, strangers and family members alike (Phobia Variations Defined and Explained, n.d.). In comparison to simple phobias, social phobia does not diminish as the individual grows older and disappears once puberty and early adulthood is reached. It has the reversed effect of the aforementioned phobia since social phobia continues or intensifies as the person grows older (Phobia Variations Defined and Explained, n.d.). Generally, phobias are offshoots of memories and imaginations; and are sometimes based on factual reasons. However, it is always best to be able to differentiate genuine fears from phobias as early as possible (Phobia Variations Defined and Explained, n.d.). B. Description of the Subject The subject is a thirty-five year old female, married and currently working as a secretary in an urban city capital of Europe. Ms. Iris, the patient, is often uneasy in the company of others including her husband of fifteen years. The fact that she cannot fully relate to the people who are in her immediate surroundings causes unnecessary worry that brings about fear of having to intermingle with acquaintances and family members. According to Ms. Iris, the feelings of being not capable in coming up with the expectations of her husband surfaced due to the comparison he has made with her and the women he knew at work along with the former girlfriend he had in the past. Aside from this, there were occasions where he abused her physically by threatening to kill her with a knife and kicking her in the stomach once when he saw her lying on the floor resting, as he considered this to be a display of laziness. Her fear of being around other people is based on the having the feeling that every stranger she meets is appraising her and claims that she is being ridiculed not only by her neighbors who do not return her greetings but by her husband’s co-employees whom her husband claimed to have said that she was not a good wife. Her misgiving about being inept also happened during the time she and her husband visited her parents-in-law for the New Year celebration. She described her father-in-law as “selfish, insensitive and cold” like her husband because he expected her to do household chores despite being ill during the time of the visit. And while she enjoys going to the private language school she regularly attends because she wants to have a more intimate relationship with a particular male instructor – the idea of having a relationship with him beyond student-teacher association is improper. But his close relationship with the other students makes her jealous. Regrettably, Ms. Iris is not also close to her own family. She recalled being always put down by her father who favored her younger brother over her because she was not as intelligent as he is. She claims to be closer to her mother but cannot get close enough to confide her fear because her mother usually has bouts of depressions. And while she is contemplating on separating from her husband, the financial and social economic status that he has at the moment makes her think twice of leaving him. Although at present she is wary of getting pregnant again by him after her miscarriage because she thinks that he will not be a good father due to his negative display of attitude and behavior. C. Description and Assessment of the Fear Experience It is normal to feel anxious when an individual is stressed due to problems that may emanate from everyday life. Normal anxiety is temporary and its symptoms generally subside once the stress is overcome or the problems have been solved. But in Ms. Iris’s case, her anxiety is considered abnormal because she tends to worry about things that normally would not cause much concern to most people (Zerbe 2000). A relevant situation to this is when she greeted her neighbors whom she claimed did not return her greeting and just stared at her. In most circumstances, other people would have shrugged it off if neighbors or acquaintances did not return their greetings. Normally this will not prevent them from socializing with their neighbors in the future. Moreover, Ms. Iris continues to worry long after the problem has actually gone away (Zerbe 2000). A perfect example here is when her husband told her that his colleagues told him that she was not a good wife. Primarily, in this kind of situation she does not even know if her husband was telling her the honest opinions of his colleagues since it did not really come from them directly. On the other hand she should not dwell on the comments which were made long ago because such things will only affect her confidence and cause unnecessary worry over mundane things. Hence, the adverse effect of her needless worry over this particular situation have made her a kind of hermit and does not go out of her way to mingle with her husband’s friends and co-workers. As such, she only made things more difficult for herself because she has no way of proving her husband’s friends wrong by being able to talk to them without being self-conscious about it. The patient’s concern about things that will unlikely happen like not being able to support herself if she proceeds with the decision of divorcing her husband; or her husband not being a good parent once they have a child together is unrealistic in the sense that she is already making conclusions about certain events that are yet about to happen or that will never even happen. Although her fear on this particular matter could be based on past experience wherein her husband physically abused her, and did not provide moral and emotional support during the times she had difficulties with her father-in-law; and when she had a miscarriage that may have compounded her anxiety (Zerbe 2000). In relation to the foregoing, her intimate feelings for the professor at the college where she is studying another language may be an unconscious indication that she has found traits she would have liked in a male companion, which she does not see in her husband. Yet again, she has fears of developing and exploring the feeling she has because the professor has close relationships with other students. Incidentally this makes her jealous and at the same time worried that if ever the relationship graduates to a deeper one she will again undergo the feelings of humiliation and ineptness by being compared to others like what her husband did. Ms. Iris’s worry and uncertainty in having close social contacts with people may have has something to do with the kind of upbringing she had during her formative years in school. Having a younger brother whom her parents considered as the brighter one and being often called dumb because of getting just passing grades in school have in a way limited her quality of life years after (Zerbe 2000), making her feel inadequate and doubtful of her own capabilities. Thus, her way of thinking and interpersonal relationships, which would have broadened and widened her horizons was affected. The establishment of adequate self-esteem has been curbed and dampen by her parents due to the negative comments they have said which she cannot forget. This among other things has made her a very insecure individual (Zerbe 2000). D. Possible Diagnosis Diagnosing anxiety is difficult and complex due to the different causes and personalized or individualized nature of the formation of symptoms (The Free Dictionary 2009). This means that the findings of concluding opinions of the therapist will be based on a case-to-case basis. Presently, there are no available medical tests which can be used to diagnose anxiety solely (The Free Dictionary 2009). When diagnosing individuals suffering from anxiety disorders, the doctor at the early stages of examination will have to eliminate physical conditions and diseases that normally include anxiety as its sign (The Free Dictionary 2009). Mostly, physical observations are very inconclusive. While some patients may manifest or show anxiety symptoms like having a fast pulse rate, breathing heavily or looking pale, others exhibit normal vital signs and normal physical bearings. Aside from the physical examination which is done, the doctor will now examine or take a look at the patient’s history on food intake (diet), occupation and ingestion of medicine. Because some drugs which are prescribed can cause anxiety. Alcohol abuse, drugs which affect moods, too much ingestion of caffeine and workplace conditions will likewise be examined as these are contributory aspects to the condition of anxiety (The Free Dictionary 2009). However, majority of cases for diagnosing anxiety is based on the patient’s mental, emotional and social records in the past. A short psychological test is often administered to aid in the intensity or severity assessment of the patient’s condition. Most doctors require tests for chemical features within the blood like blood sugar and height of thyroid hormone which may elicit the symptoms of anxiety (The Free Dictionary 2009). Such tests are the Hamilton Anxiety Scale and the ADIS or anxiety Disorders Interview (The Free Dictionary 2009). Some patients with anxiety may not need treatment except in severe situations. Since anxiety experience comes from a variety of causes, the treatment generally necessitates more than one kind of treatment. Most of the time the doctor will try to use different medications along with various techniques of treatment prior to discovering the suitable combinations for a particular patient. A treatment procedure typically takes about six to eight weeks in order for the therapist to weigh on the success and efficiency of one treatment routine (The Free Dictionary 2009). Relating the above facts to the case of Ms. Iris, it can be said at this point in time that she may be suffering from anxiety or social fear. But although she is experiencing and showing signs and symptoms of the disorder, her condition is not that severe because she is still attending the local college where she is studying another language and keeps in contact with her parents although rarely. E. Development/Acquisition Often, anxiety is considered to include a social aspect since people are normally social beings (The Free Dictionary 2009). The feelings of anxiety or fear are common sensations that are associated with the expectation of something back in return that are generally in terms of approval or love coming from the society (The Free Dictionary 2009). Consequently, the social phobia Ms. Iris is currently having is manifested by elevated intensities of anxiousness or fear of being humiliated in any way especially during social gatherings or situations. It is a fact that social phobia affects more women than men. The higher range of having this kind of disorder in women is due to the prejudice that they suffer in society more than men. Because usually the social status of married women depends a lot on the social and economic standing of their husbands (The Free Dictionary 2009). This is the main reason why Ms. Iris is fearful of leaving her husband whom she claims to have abused her in the past. The patient’s anxiety in this situation originated from her childhood wherein she has been constantly compared with her brother by her parents. It could be assumed that her parents, especially her father was trying to challenge her to also do her best by comparing her scholastic achievements with her sibling. Unfortunately, the action and path chosen by her father did not have the desired result and instead stimulated feelings of being inadequate that became deeply rooted. The feelings of insecurity brought from childhood could have been the starting point of her insecurities up to the present. While the above circumstance may be true, the fact that Ms. Iris’s mother who was also suffering from bouts of depression may have something to do with her present condition and state of mind. Although it cannot be established that any emotional disorder or mental illness can be genetically transferred from parent to offspring. Since anxiety includes a response from the systems in the perception of threat or danger (The Free Dictionary 2009), it is in reality a mixture of bodily chemical changes, personal history, memory and the social condition that surrounds an individual (The Free Dictionary 2009). While it can be said that lower forms of animals know fear, the fact is human anxiety incorporates the capability to utilize memory and imagination that could move within a specific period of time, which animals visibly do not have (The Free Dictionary 2009). A big portion of human anxiety is created because people tend to anticipate future events which are clearly seen in Ms. Iris’s situation. She concludes the outcome of certain events that may yet to take place and most of the conclusions to the vents she foresees are negative – making her worried and fearful even though she is not really sure if the vent will actually happen and what the result will really be (The Free Dictionary 2009). Even though anxiety is associated with fear, the two conditions are not the same. Fear is a response to a particular object or event and the individual is conscious of it. The specific cause of anxiety is usually hard to pinpoint since it is often unclear where the unease is coming from. Nevertheless, current researchers consider adult anxiety as an excess of memories and events during childhood. Relatively, the ongoing social phobia and unease that Ms. Iris is presently having are offshoots of the subconscious recollections of some events during her childhood (The Free Dictionary 2009). F. Treatment Program The treatment plan or approach that would be used for Ms. Iris’s case is Jung’s Neo Psychodynamic Theory. Jung’s Theory segregates the mind into three parts: the ego or the conscious mind; the personal conscious and the collective conscious (Boeree 2006). The personal conscious contains memories that could easily be conveyed to the mind and memories which were concealed or suppressed for any number of causes (Boeree 2006). As for the collective conscious, Jung explains this as a type of knowledge that is inherent in everyone, which we are not directly aware or conscious of. It manipulates all of a person’s life experiences and behaviors; mainly the emotional ones (Boeree 2006). In relation to this are the dynamic principles of the psyche, specifically the principle of opposites, the principle of equivalence and the principle of entropy. To summarize: the principle of opposites comprise of wishes which are directly puts forth contradicting emotions like good or bad or black and white (Boeree 2006) The principle of equivalence on the other hand is the energy produced from the opposition which is situated on both sides evenly. For this reason, equal amounts of energy are distributed to the different emotions or behaviors being presently experienced by the individual. So if the good deed is selected over the bad one, the energy for the bad emotion or thought is overridden. This condition usually promotes and contributes to the general well-being of a person’s psyche (Boeree 2006). Last but not the least is the principle of entropy which gives the possibility for all opposite emotions and behaviors to come together, making all energy evenly spread out. Therefore, as a person matures or grows older he/she has different sides; and is comfortable with the reality that he/she has a good side and a bad side. Similarly the strengths and weaknesses of each individual which are entirely unique from others likewise fall under this principle (Boeree 2006). The therapy that is intended for Ms. Iris will have to be a combination of the practical application of Jung’s Psychodynamic Theory by using CBT or cognitive-behavioral therapy and medications that will be made of antidepressants that regulates the biochemical components of the body (The Free Dictionary 2009). Jung’s Theory could be done through the use of the CBT or cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of remedy allows the patient to relax and identify situations or thoughts that are likely to kindle the anxiety. While doing the therapy Ms. Iris will be advised to analyze each given situation more realistically and will be exposed to the stimuli gradually until such time that the reactions to the identified stressors are neutralized. Included in the therapy sessions are relaxing techniques like breathing exercises and group therapy sessions (The Free Dictionary 2009). Basically, cognitive behavioral therapy aid the patient to discover and alter distortions of thoughts that causes psychological distress (Malhauser, n.d.). In order to make Jung’s Psychodynamic Theory on having to deal with reality and CBT work effectively together, the therapist must be able to perceive the patient’s experiences from her point of view or perception. This approach is largely based on Psychoanalysis where “understanding behavior requires insight into thoughts and feelings which motivate our actions” (The Psychodynamic Approach, n.d.). Thats why, both Ms. Iris and the therapist will have to work together (NACBT 2009) in order to search the client’s “thoughts, assumptions and inferences” (Malhauser, n.d.). As the therapy session progresses, the therapist will assist Ms. Iris to identify her thoughts and emotions by comparing them “against reality and against other assumptions” (Malhauser, n.d.). During the entire cognitive-behavioral therapy session, the patient will be able to learn coping techniques and methods during the entire CBT session and will likewise be able to develop better understanding and assessment of herself and her surroundings (Malhauser, n.d.) The ultimate goal for the therapy is to reduce Ms. Iris’s dependency on the therapist and to minimize a relapse in the long run (Malhauser, n.d.). References Boeree, George C. (2006). Personality Theories. Carl Jung. Retrieved May 23, 2009 from http://www.ship.edu/~cgboeree/jung.html Malhauser, Greg. (n.d.). An Introduction to Cognitive Therapy and Cognitive-Behavioral Approaches. Retrieved May 24, 2009 from http://counsellingresource.com/types/cognitive-therapy/ MedicineNet.com. (2000). Definition of Phobia. Retrieved May 23, 2009 from http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=4878 NACBT (National Association of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapists). (2009). Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. Retrieved May 25, 2009 from http://www.nacbt.org/whatiscbt.htm Phobia Variations Defined and Explained. (n.d.). Retrieved May 23, 2009 from http://www.wordsources.info/phobias-defined.html The Free Dictionary. (2009). Anxiety. Retrieved on May 25, 2009 from http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Psychological+anxiety The Psychodynamic Approach. (n.d.). Freud and Psychoanalysis. Retrieved May 25, 2009 from http://mcgraw-hill.co.uk/openup/approach/psychdyn.htm Zerbe, Kathryn J. (2000). Anxiety Disorders. Retrieved May 25, 2009 from http://www.thedoctorwillseeyounow.com/articles/behavior/anxiety_7/ Read More