Psychoanalysis in Russia: The Past, the Present, and the Future

Countries, like individuals, have their own life cycles and fates—some lead calm and quiet lives, some lead socially active lives, and some are more impulsive and unpredictable than others. Some countries are lucky enough to smoothly develop their egos, but some unfortunately go through periods of diminished common sense. After such periods, it is important for the whole country as well as for each individual to try to reflect on what happened, why it occurred, and what the purpose of the cycle was. Those reflections may be of use to other countries as they add to an understanding of human beings and the nature of society.

Russian psychology has a long and proud historical traditions. Laboratories were established in the latter half of the 19th century, (for example, in in Kazan). Russia had a strong psychiatric school, led by Bechterev. At the beginning of the 20th century there was an awakening interest in Freud's work and theory. In 1904 Freud's book on dreams was published in Russian; it is interesting to note that this was the first foreign translation of Freud's works. Between 1904 and 1914 twenty-two works by Freud were published in Russian. Until the 1930s Russia was the leader in translating and publishing Freud's works. In 1908-1909 several Russian psychiatrists (Nikolai Osipov, Moisei Vulf, Nikolai Vyrubov, Osip Feltzman) published articles and gave lectures on Freud's theory and method. In 1911 the book series “Psychotherapy Library” was published. Moscow, Petersburg, and Odessa were the centers of psychoanalysis in Russia. Many leading Russian psychiatrists were involved in the psychoanalytic movement. They were in contact with and met with Freud and his collaborators in many countries. In 1912 the psychiatric society “Small Fridays” was organized by Vladimir Serbsky (unfortunately, most foreigners