The Id, Ego and Superego
Sigmund Freud, an Austrian neurologist and the founder of psychoanalysis, studied the different facets of the mind and developed the concepts of the id, the ego, and the superego to explain the human psyche. According to Freud, these three are the separate but interacting components of the human personality. The id correlates with human instincts, the ego with reality, and the superego with morality. The id and the superego function at the unconscious level, while the ego operates at the conscious level. Together, they contribute to an individual’s behaviour.
The Principles of Psychoanalysis
Psychoanalysis rests on certain fundamental tenets. Firstly, the unconscious influences behaviour. Secondly, conflicts between one’s conscious and unconscious minds are often the root of mental and emotional health and behavioural issues. Experiences and events that occur by age five largely shape an individual’s personality. Defence mechanisms are strategies the unconscious generates to protect individuals against their anxious thoughts or feelings or to help them navigate unpleasant experiences or uncomfortable situations.
What Conditions & Diseases Does Psychoanalysis Treat?
Psychoanalysis contributes to treating an individual’s emotional and mental health. Given below are some areas in which it which is commonly used.
- Abuse and neglect of any kind at any age
- Addictions of various kinds
- Childhood and adolescent problems, such as self-esteem issues
- Eating disorders
- Mental disorders, such as anxiety, depression, phobias, fantasies, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and bipolar disorder
- Personality disorders
- Identity disorders
- Relationship problems
- Sexual issues and disorders
- Sleep disorders
- Trauma and major life issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Persistent psychological problems
- Psychosomatic disorders
- Self-destructive behaviours
Psychoanalytic Testing
A psychoanalytic clinical assessment is a critical tool that helps a Psychoanalyst diagnose patients and offer treatment options. Typically, such an assessment can last a few months. It assesses a patient’s strengths, such as motivation and the potential capability to self-observe and resolve internal conflict, and identifies weaknesses or vulnerabilities, such as unconscious conflicts and ego functions. Depending on your background, you may add further tests to arrive at a more accurate diagnosis. For instance, if you have a background in psychology, you may supplement psychoanalytic testing with psychological personality tests.
Some Tools a Psychoanalyst Uses
Dream analysis involves recording and interpreting dreams as a way to reveal and understand unconscious thoughts.
Free association encourages patients to speak what first comes to mind, with or without a prompt. Such spontaneous conversations and perhaps any Freudian slips that occur enable a Psychoanalyst to identify recurring themes in what patients say and thereby better understand their unconscious mind.
Interpretation is a process in which a patient shares memories and experiences with a Psychoanalyst. Together, they analyse how past behaviours and feelings may affect how patients currently behave or view life or any unconscious biases or motivation they need to recognise.
Transference occurs when a patient transfers their past feelings for others to their Psychoanalyst, giving the therapist a chance to assess the unconscious dynamics in the patient’s life.
Some Skills Psychoanalysts Need
- Interpersonal skills
- Keen observation of behaviour through what is spoken and unspoken
- Research and study skills
- Communication with people from diverse backgrounds
- Open-mindedness to tackle prejudice and oppression
- Emotional resilience & maturity
- Independent and teamwork
- Maintaining confidentiality
- Responsibility and professionalism
- Empathy
- Objectivity
- Emotional resilience and maturity
- Self-awareness
Psychotherapy
Whether conducted one-on-one or with groups, couples or families, psychotherapy aims to help patients overcome diverse emotional, mental and behavioural issues, such as stress, relationship troubles or addictions. Psychoanalysis is one of the approaches used and includes cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, systemic & family psychotherapy, arts & play therapy, humanistic & integrative psychotherapies, hypno-psychotherapy and experiential, constructivist therapies.
A psychiatrist, psychologist or another mental health professional may practise as a psychotherapist, having acquired specialist training in psychotherapy. Or they may have a different background but received intensive training in the area. Medical psychotherapists are qualified doctors who have specialised in psychiatry, followed by a specialist training program for three or four years in psychotherapy.
Psychoanalyst vs Psychologist & Psychiatrist
Psychologists and psychiatrists may practise psychoanalysis, one of the approaches of psychotherapy. Psychologists typically acquire doctoral degrees in psychology to become qualified mental health professionals. Psychiatrists are qualified medical doctors specialising in treating mental health problems and can prescribe medication. Psychoanalysts practise psychotherapeutic techniques built on the foundation of Freud’s theories that have evolved.
These mental healthcare professionals typically employ a similar process that begins with meeting with patients to ask them questions and listen to their answers to develop strategies to resolve their issues or help them feel better. However, the difference may lie in the questions asked and the solutions offered.
Psychologists typically seek to equip their patients with tools and strategies to help them confront their fears, anxieties, depression and other mental health issues, mental illnesses or post-traumatic stress disorder or learn to ease up and enjoy life as it comes. While some psychologists explore their patients’ history, most employ a proactive approach or cognitive behavioural therapy (or CBT) based on the idea that since thoughts influence emotions more than situations, changing one’s thinking and behavioural patterns can enhance the quality of life by relieving depression and anxiety and fostering joy. CBT can be considered a practical, science-based and standardised approach.
Psychiatrists are qualified to deliver medical treatment, including medication and brain stimulation therapies, supplemented with psychotherapy, as needed. In other words, they tackle their patients’ physical and mental health and their mutual impact on each other and develop a suitable treatment. They also tackle sudden or urgent mental health issues, helping patients manage them in the long run, and recommend lifestyle changes to adapt to complex conditions.
However, to practise as certified Psychoanalysts, all mental healthcare professionals must undertake the relevant training programs offered by accredited institutes after fulfilling the mandatory entry requirements and qualifying for certification.
Psychoanalyst vs Psychologist & Psychiatrist
Psychologists and psychiatrists may practise psychoanalysis, one of the approaches of psychotherapy. Psychologists typically acquire doctoral degrees in psychology to become qualified mental health professionals. Psychiatrists are qualified medical doctors specialising in treating mental health problems and can prescribe medication. Psychoanalysts practise psychotherapeutic techniques built on the foundation of Freud’s theories that have evolved.
These mental healthcare professionals typically employ a similar process that begins with meeting with patients to ask them questions and listen to their answers with the aim to develop strategies to resolve their issues or help them feel better. However, the difference may lie in the questions asked and the solutions offered.
Psychologists typically seek to equip their patients with tools and strategies to help them confront their fears, anxieties, depression and other mental health issues, mental illnesses or post-traumatic stress disorder, or learn to ease up and enjoy life as it comes. While some psychologists explore their patients’ history, most employ a proactive approach or cognitive behavioural therapy (or CBT) based on the idea that since thoughts influence emotions more than situations, changing one’s thinking and behavioural patterns can enhance the quality of life by relieving depression and anxiety and fostering joy. CBT can be considered a practical, science-based and standardised approach.
Psychiatrists are qualified to deliver medical treatment, including medication and brain stimulation therapies, supplemented with psychotherapy, as needed. In other words, they tackle their patients’ physical and mental health and their mutual impact on each other and develop a suitable treatment. They also tackle sudden or urgent mental health issues, helping patients manage them in the long run, and recommend lifestyle changes to adapt to complex conditions.
However, to practise as certified Psychoanalysts, all mental healthcare professionals must undertake the relevant training programs offered by accredited institutes after fulfilling the mandatory entry requirements, and thereby qualify for certification.
Some Benefits & Limitations of Psychoanalysis
Psychoanalysis seeks to arrive at the root of issues and not merely skim the surface by tackling the symptoms. As a result, patients who may not succeed with conventional therapy or medications may benefit from the deeper insights that emerge to explain thoughts, emotions and behavioural patterns. It helps that at least some of Freud’s theories have found support in biological research. Self-examination through psychoanalysis may foster evolution over time.
However, some concepts of psychoanalysis are outdated. Moreover, repressed feelings can be painful for patients to acknowledge, and they may not wish to go on with the treatment or feel uncomfortable and scared doing so. Some mental health issues, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, may not have an appropriate resolution in psychoanalysis. Also, the treatment may be long-drawn and expensive, demanding intense commitment and focus on the part of Psychoanalysts and patients.
Current Scenario
The employment outlook of a particular profession may be impacted by diverse factors, such as the time of year (for seasonal jobs), location, employment turnover (when people leave current jobs), occupational growth (when new roles are created), size of the occupation and industry-specific trends and events that affect overall employment.
Potential Pros & Cons of Freelancing vs Full-Time Employment
Freelancing Psychoanalysts have more flexible work schedules and locations. They have full ownership of the business and can select their projects and clients. However, they experience inconsistent work and cash flow, which means more responsibility, effort and risk.
On the other hand, a full-time Psychoanalyst has company-sponsored health benefits, insurance, and retirement plans. They have job security with a fixed, reliable source of income and guidance from their bosses. Yet, they may experience boredom due to a lack of flexibility, ownership, and variety.
When deciding between freelancing or being a full-time employee, consider the pros and cons to see what works best for you.