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PSAR 33(2):215-236 (1946)

Dream Analysis of a Constitutional Psychopath: Toward the Problem of Differential Dream Analysis

Author: Ben Karpman MD

Abstract

The patient's statement that he “was disappointed because it was only a dream” might indicate a temptation to resort to drugs again. It is a wishfulfilling dream governed entirely by the pleasure principle.

In Dream No. 61, 6-3-29, there is a disturbing or warning element which seems to offset the idea of pleasure in drugs. The dream reads:

“I seemed to be on the outside and was going to some place where they were selling drugs. I came to a flat where there were men and women and they were taking their shots of the stuff, and there also seemed to be a little girl there. This little girl seemed to be crying and no one seemed able to quiet her.”
“I do not recall having bought any of the drugs there, but remember the number 23 being mentioned numerous times. The little girl doing the crying seemed to disturb us all and I awoke soon after with the sound of her crying in my ears.” No issue.

The little girl who cries is perhaps some aspect of the patient's better judgment which tells him that he must not return to the drug habit. This interpretation receives support from Dream No. 103, 8-6-29, which reads:

“I had come into the room and there found one of the patients who had been here, (M.S.) and he was mixing up some drugs and offered me a shot. I could see the morphine and the cocaine he had, and also saw him cook up the stuff in a tobacco can. He had an eye dropper and on the end of this he had a hypodermic needle. He filled this and offered it to me and I was afraid to take it from him, and also afraid to use it, because I did not want the authorities to catch me using it.”
“I hid this under the pillow, as there was one of the attendants making his rounds and I was afraid he would see the stuff lying on
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the bed. I told S. that I had gone without the drugs for over three years and I believed that I could get along very well without it for some time longer, and hoped never to use it again; I was looking for the eyedropper and the needle to throw them out, when I awoke.” No

PSAR 33(2):215-236 (1946)

Dream Analysis of a Constitutional Psychopath: Toward the Problem of Differential Dream Analysis

Author: Ben Karpman MD

Abstract

In Dream No. 61, 6-3-29, there is a disturbing or warning element which seems to offset the idea of pleasure in drugs. The dream reads:

“I seemed to be on the outside and was going to some place where they were selling drugs. I came to a flat where there were men and women and they were taking their shots of the stuff, and there also seemed to be a little girl there. This little girl seemed to be crying and no one seemed able to quiet her.”
“I do not recall having bought any of the drugs there, but remember the number 23 being mentioned numerous times. The little girl doing the crying seemed to disturb us all and I awoke soon after with the sound of her crying in my ears.” No issue.

“I had come into the room and there found one of the patients who had been here, (M.S.) and he was mixing up some drugs and offered me a shot. I could see the morphine and the cocaine he had, and also saw him cook up the stuff in a tobacco can. He had an eye dropper and on the end of this he had a hypodermic needle. He filled this and offered it to me and I was afraid to take it from him, and also afraid to use it, because I did not want the authorities to catch me using it.”
“I hid this under the pillow, as there was one of the attendants making his rounds and I was afraid he would see the stuff lying on
Page 215
the bed. I told S. that I had gone without the drugs for over three years and I believed that I could get along very well without it for some time longer, and hoped never to use it again; I was looking for the eyedropper and the needle to throw them out, when I awoke.” No