Freud & Psychoanalysis - Assignment Example

Journal Psychoanalysis has been used in many different settings in the counseling and research profession. Started by Sigmund Freud, this deterministic view of psychology and neurology still is highly practiced today. One of the avenues in which it is often used is in the field of traumatology. One important component in the theories dealing with traumatology is temporality. This deals with the processing of the traumatic memories as well as the way in which the individual begins to form new memories.

In the form of vignettes, this article looks at multiple examples of how temporality plays a role in a traumatized person. In trauma, the past, present, and future become blurred. A person can loose a sense of time and a sense of self in a traumatized state. Clients who suffer from trauma become “freeze-framed” in the present where they are have to endure the suffering caused by both repressed memories and flashbacks. This is why a person begins to loose meaning in one’s self and one’s life because they loose the sense of time that keeps the memories anchored.

Especially in times of repression, the memories are coming to the surface, which can further distort the present (Stolorow, 2003). Temporality is a key component in understanding traumatology. Freud acknowledges this through the use of psychoanalysis by understanding the ways in which memories work in those that are traumatized. The way in which trauma can induce loss and confusion through the blurring of memories is also important in understanding how the loss of self occurs as well as the wide range of physiological and psychological responses occur.

Journal #2 Freud’s use of psychoanalysis was always associated with that of the unconscious. He believed that the majority that what we knew and and the deterministic pattern to our psychology lied deep within our unconsciousness. Therefore, his therapy centered on tapping into the unconscious memory through therapy. However, one of Freud’s biggest problems with memory and psychoanalysis was in those that were suffering from trauma. Freud’s pioneering into traumatology dealt specifically with abuse and war victims.

Specifically in these types of victims, there was a point in which Freud had to address ego-centered memories. Unlike other types of memories, the deeply rooted and emotional components made the traumatic memories amplified. They are not only usually the root participant of the memory, but in some cases are the witnesses. In disasters, both nature driven and those caused by man, leave these victims helpless in their memories. In cases, these memories are not only provoked by a stimulus in the present, but they also can start shaping behavior and memories in the future.

Through repetition of the memory via flashbacks and other types of repression failure, the memory becomes a more and more conscious component often resulting in a form of neurosis. Freud was interested in trying to find and stop these neuroses. As a result of his work in psychoanalysis and his pioneering into the field of traumatology, psychologists have better learned the ways in which memory functions and the role they play both physiologically and psychologically. It has also influenced the way in which therapy is now conducted, specifically in recent events such as war trauma, September 11th, and Hurricane Katrina.

Journal #3 One of the particular disorders that Freud was interested in with reference to psychoanalysis and trauma was through the research into Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Freud came up with a theory of actual neurosis in order to describe the traumatic memory process. There has been a great deal of research, which has been done into the validity, psychological and physiological effects of PTSD. Eventually, it was diagnosed as real psychological illnesses and was incorporated into the Statistical Manual for Psychological Disorders (DSM).

Yet, research is not able to supply every type of evidence regarding a universal way in which PTSD, or even trauma works. As a result, scientists look at this problem as being a multi-variable problem with the effects on a person ranging on a biopsychosocial spectrum. Studies had shown that those that suffered from an extreme stressor or PTSD in earlier life that it has lasting reprocussions into the development and functioning of the individual. However, these effects can range from physiological effects, such as high cortisol levels, high blood pressure, etc.

to a host of psychological effects like anxiety and memory related disorders. Through statistical computation and data collection as well as logs from counseling, psychologists have been able to confirm certain aspects of how PTSD works and the role that memory plays in this capacity. However, there are still some unknown genetic and environmental factors that cannot be isolated in order to explain why PTSD might effect some people in different ways than it does others. References Bohleber, W. (2007). Remembrance, trauma and collective memory: The battle for memory in psychoanalysis.

The International Journal of Psychoanalysis, 88(2), 329-352. doi:10.1516/V5H5-8351-7636-7878 Stolorow, R. D. (2003). Trauma and temporality. Psychoanalytic Psychology, 20(1), 158- 161. doi:10.1037/0736-9735.20.1.158 Verhaeghe, P., & Vanheule, S. (2005). Actual neurosis and PTSD: The impact of the other. Psychoanalytic Psychology, 22(4), 493-507. doi:10.1037/0736-9735.22.4.493