(1926). International Journal of Psycho-Analysis, 7:381-391 The Sources of Neurotic Anxiety: A Contribution to the Theory of Psycho-Analytic Therapy From the point of view of causal psycho-therapy, the first task of psycho-analysis is to bring into consciousness the meaning of neurotic anxiety, both manifest and larval; only when this has been done are we in a position to influence the sources of anxiety, which, as Freud has shown, is derived, in the last event, from instinctual energy. This therapeutic modification merely implies a fresh orientation of the instincts in the sense that the latter are regulated in a way more adapted to the requirements of reality. Nevertheless various sources of neurotic anxiety can be distinguished by reference to their dynamic power. Permanent cure, which is the ultimate aim of all psycho-analysis, can only be brought about by successful modification of the most important dynamic sources of anxiety. Etiologically speaking, the significance of sources of anxiety can be judged by their mutual relations: one would regard as secondary those sources of anxiety which (1) become pathogenic for [This is a summary or excerpt from the full text of the book or article. The full text of the document is available to subscribers.] |
