Inhibition*

This article explores the notion of inhibition at a theoretical and clinical level in psychoanalysis. The first part follows the development of the notion in Freud’s work, from the “Project” (1950a [1895]) to Inhibitions, Symptoms and Anxiety (1926d). It identifies the two approaches to inhibition, the first from an energetic point of view, the second from the angle of its relations to anxiety. The second part of the article is devoted to the links between inhibition and Freud’s thoughts about death, in particular in Inhibitions, Symptoms and Anxiety and the links to the death drive. It draws on some of Jones’ notes and presents a brief clinical illustration. The third part focuses more particularly on general inhibition, especially in depression and melancholia. Based on the treatment of one patient, the author shows how the slow process of overcoming general inhibition is achieved through the gradual use of negation. From an economic point of view, it is suggested that psychoanalytic treatment, through the transference and associative speech, has an effect on the depletion of energy by diverting the “suction” of stimuli, paving the way for the formation of drive representatives, or inhibitions as symptoms, which will need to be dissected.