REPRESSION (147-152)
Sigmund Freud (1915)
Summary:
In our previous research, we explored how representations, charged with psychic energy of drives, are repressed. However, cli nical
observation has shown us that, along with these representations, another element intervenes: the "amount of affect". This ter m
refers to the impulse energy separated from the representation, manifesting itself as sensory registerable affects. From now on,
when analyzing a case of repression, we must follow two separate paths: the fate of the representation itself and that of the
"amount of affection" that accompanies it.
The usual fate of the representation that carries the drive is usually its disappearance from consciousness if it was ever co nscious,
or its restriction in consciousness if it was emerging into it. This difference is subtle; It is akin to kicking an unwanted guest out of
my home or allowing them, after acknowledging them, not to cross the threshold.
The "amount of affect," a concept derived from Breuer's work, can have three possible fates: to be completely suffocated, to
manifest as a qualitatively colored affect, or to be transformed into anguish. The last two possibilities challenge us to und erstand
how the psychic energy of the drives is transformed into affective states, especially anguish.
It is crucial to remember that the primary purpose of repression was to avoid displeasure. Therefore, the destination of the
"amount of affect" is more relevant than that of the representation itself in assessing the success of the repressive process. If a
repression fails to prevent the emergence of feelings of displeasure or anguish, we can conclude that it has failed, even tho ugh it
has achieved its goal with representation. These cases of failed repression are especially interesting for our study, as th ey reveal
more about the processes involved than the cases of successful repression, which often escape our attention.
In this research we focus on understanding the mechanism of repression and determining whether it is unique or varies between
different psychoneuroses. We find that the mechanism of repression is only accessible retrospectively through its results.
Generally, repression produces a substitute formation in the repressed representation. We wonder whether this mechanism is
unique or diverse for each type of neurosis, and whether the substitutionary formation and symptoms overlap with the mechanis m
of repression.
It seems that the mechanisms of substitutionary and symptom formation differ from repression itself, suggesting that they inv olve
distinct processes for the return of the repressed. We propose to investigate these mechanisms before fully addressing the
mechanism of repression.
To anticipate, we emphasize that the mechanism of repression does not coincide with that of substitute training, which has various
mechanisms. The mechanisms of repression share the characteristic of subtracting the energetic investiture (or libido in sexu al
drives).
We illustrate these concepts with examples from psychoneuroses, focusing on the case of a phobia of animals as a result of a
repressed drive towards the father. This failed repression generates a phobia as an attempt to avoid distress, showing how
repression can operate and its consequences in specific cases like this.
In the study of conversion hysteria, we observe that its repressive process differs significantly from other types of neurosis. Here,
repression succeeds in completely eliminating the affect associated with the psychic conflict, which is characteristic of the behavior
of "belle indifférence des hystériques." However, in some cases, painful sensations persist, or distress develops, giving rise to
substitute formations such as hyperintense somatic symptoms, typically sensory or motor.
Repression in conversion hysteria can be considered mostly successful in terms of the elimination of affect, but it is accomp anied
by complex substitutionary formations that act as symptoms. This process does not usually require a second phase of work, as it
does in other neuroses. In contrast, in obsessive neurosis, where repression affects repressed hostile impulses, it initially succeeds
in eliminating representation and associated affect. Eventually, however, this type of repression faces increasing difficulties due to
the ambivalence of the repressed impulse, allowing repressed affects to return in forms such as moral distress, excessive
reproaches, and obsessions.
These comparisons indicate that more extensive research is needed to better understand how repression and symptom formation
are intertwined in neuroses. The complex interweaving of factors requires alternating approaches for each type of neurosis, with
the aim of reaching a comprehensive understanding that allows the underlying processes to be clearly discerned.
1
Made by MatyBuda
Sigmund Freud (1915)
Summary:
In our previous research, we explored how representations, charged with psychic energy of drives, are repressed. However, cli nical
observation has shown us that, along with these representations, another element intervenes: the "amount of affect". This ter m
refers to the impulse energy separated from the representation, manifesting itself as sensory registerable affects. From now on,
when analyzing a case of repression, we must follow two separate paths: the fate of the representation itself and that of the
"amount of affection" that accompanies it.
The usual fate of the representation that carries the drive is usually its disappearance from consciousness if it was ever co nscious,
or its restriction in consciousness if it was emerging into it. This difference is subtle; It is akin to kicking an unwanted guest out of
my home or allowing them, after acknowledging them, not to cross the threshold.
The "amount of affect," a concept derived from Breuer's work, can have three possible fates: to be completely suffocated, to
manifest as a qualitatively colored affect, or to be transformed into anguish. The last two possibilities challenge us to und erstand
how the psychic energy of the drives is transformed into affective states, especially anguish.
It is crucial to remember that the primary purpose of repression was to avoid displeasure. Therefore, the destination of the
"amount of affect" is more relevant than that of the representation itself in assessing the success of the repressive process. If a
repression fails to prevent the emergence of feelings of displeasure or anguish, we can conclude that it has failed, even tho ugh it
has achieved its goal with representation. These cases of failed repression are especially interesting for our study, as th ey reveal
more about the processes involved than the cases of successful repression, which often escape our attention.
In this research we focus on understanding the mechanism of repression and determining whether it is unique or varies between
different psychoneuroses. We find that the mechanism of repression is only accessible retrospectively through its results.
Generally, repression produces a substitute formation in the repressed representation. We wonder whether this mechanism is
unique or diverse for each type of neurosis, and whether the substitutionary formation and symptoms overlap with the mechanis m
of repression.
It seems that the mechanisms of substitutionary and symptom formation differ from repression itself, suggesting that they inv olve
distinct processes for the return of the repressed. We propose to investigate these mechanisms before fully addressing the
mechanism of repression.
To anticipate, we emphasize that the mechanism of repression does not coincide with that of substitute training, which has various
mechanisms. The mechanisms of repression share the characteristic of subtracting the energetic investiture (or libido in sexu al
drives).
We illustrate these concepts with examples from psychoneuroses, focusing on the case of a phobia of animals as a result of a
repressed drive towards the father. This failed repression generates a phobia as an attempt to avoid distress, showing how
repression can operate and its consequences in specific cases like this.
In the study of conversion hysteria, we observe that its repressive process differs significantly from other types of neurosis. Here,
repression succeeds in completely eliminating the affect associated with the psychic conflict, which is characteristic of the behavior
of "belle indifférence des hystériques." However, in some cases, painful sensations persist, or distress develops, giving rise to
substitute formations such as hyperintense somatic symptoms, typically sensory or motor.
Repression in conversion hysteria can be considered mostly successful in terms of the elimination of affect, but it is accomp anied
by complex substitutionary formations that act as symptoms. This process does not usually require a second phase of work, as it
does in other neuroses. In contrast, in obsessive neurosis, where repression affects repressed hostile impulses, it initially succeeds
in eliminating representation and associated affect. Eventually, however, this type of repression faces increasing difficulties due to
the ambivalence of the repressed impulse, allowing repressed affects to return in forms such as moral distress, excessive
reproaches, and obsessions.
These comparisons indicate that more extensive research is needed to better understand how repression and symptom formation
are intertwined in neuroses. The complex interweaving of factors requires alternating approaches for each type of neurosis, with
the aim of reaching a comprehensive understanding that allows the underlying processes to be clearly discerned.
1
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