On the Continuation of the Analytic Process after Psycho-Analysis (A Self-Observation)

In Analysis Terminable and Interminable (3, p. 352), Freud stated as a condition for a successful training analysis: 'We hope and believe that the stimuli received in the learner's own analysis will not cease to act upon him when that analysis ends, that the processes of ego transformation will go on of their own accord and that all further experiences will be made use of in a newly acquired way.1 This does indeed happen and, in so far as it happens, it qualifies the learner who has been analysed to become an analyst.'

In this paper I propose to show, with examples gained through self-observations, that the processes of ego-transformation do indeed continue of their own accord, i.e. not activated by conscious volition. On the basis of these observations, I have made the assumption that the capacity to integrate unconscious conflicts in the form of insight can become an independent ego function, which for purposes of this communication I shall call autoanalytic. I assume this function to be initiated by psycho-analytic therapy which introduces conscious awareness of a repressed conflict as a new solution to psychic conflicts in preference to defensive activity previously employed. The non-volitional nature of the autoanalytic function was demonstrated to me repeatedly by the emergence of analytic insights when I was not actively seeking them. Such observations are confirmed by Reik (6) who described insights as coming spontaneously as if by inspiration. 'I had no intention of interpreting the dream and never turned my attention to it consciously. My interest in it was thus felt in spite of myself.'

Analytical knowledge and theory has always been based on empirical data. The difficulty of acquiring such data with regard to post-analytic processes has stood in the way of enlarging our knowledge in this area. Consequently, any assumptions about post-analytic developments are largely speculative. There are two opportunities to acquire the necessary data. One is