Question

Current psychiatry uses the term 'dependence' to describe the most severe form of substance use disorder.

1)How does the modern psychiatric definition of dependence compare/contrast with Sigmund Freud’s concept of the term, 'dependence.’?

2)What were the mechanisms or processes involved in dependence according to Freud?

3)Are there any situations that Freud would consider to be "healthy dependence"?

please answer question 2 and 3 only

Answer 1

SOLUTION -

Some of the major defense mechanisms described by psychoanalysts are the following:

1. Repression is the withdrawal from consciousness of an unwanted idea, affect, or desire by pushing it down, or repressing it, into the unconscious part of the mind. An example may be found in a case of hysterical amnesia, in which the victim has performed or witnessed some disturbing act and then completely forgotten the act itself and the circumstances  surrounding it.

2. Reaction formation is the fixation in consciousness of an idea, affect, or desire that is opposite to a feared unconscious impulse. A mother who bears an unwanted child, for example, may react to her feelings of guilt for not wanting the child by becoming extremely solicitous and overprotective to convince both the child and herself that she is a good mother.

• 3. Projection is a form of defense in which unwanted feelings are displaced onto another person, where they then appear as a threat from the external world. A common form of projection occurs when an individual, threatened by his own angry feelings, accuses another of harbouring hostile thoughts.

• 4. Regression is a return to earlier stages of development and abandoned forms of gratification belonging to them, prompted by dangers or conflicts arising at one of the later stages. A young wife, for example, might retreat to the security of her parents’ home after her first quarrel with her husband.

• 5. Sublimation is the diversion or deflection of instinctual drives, usually sexual ones, into noninstinctual channels. Psychoanalytic theory holds that the energy invested in sexual impulses can be shifted to the pursuit of more acceptable and even socially valuable achievements, such as artistic or scientific endeavours.

• 6. Denial is the conscious refusal to perceive that painful facts exist. In denying latent feelings of homosexuality or hostility, or mental defects in one’s child, an individual can escape intolerable thoughts, feelings, or events.

• 7. Rationalization is the substitution of a safe and reasonable explanation for the true (but threatening) cause of behaviour.

Psychoanalysts emphasize that the use of a defense mechanism is a normal part of personality function and not in and of itself a sign of psychological disorder. Various psychological disorders, however, can be characterized by an excessive or rigid use of these defenses.

SOLUTION 3

Are there any situations that Freud would consider to be "healthy dependence"?

Healthy dependence: manifestation of dependence that occurs in some contexts but not others and in ways that are situationally appropriatlly. AS DEFINED BY FREUD - WAS A STRONG BOND BETWEEN AN INFANT AND ITS PRIMARY CAREGIVER FORGED DURING INFANCY. THE INFANT IS HELPLESS - ITIS OBJECTIVELY DEPENDENT ON ITS CAREGIVER TO SURVIVE. IF THE CAREGIVER CAN FULFILL THIS FUNCTION ADEQUATELY, THE CHILD LEARNS THAT EXPRESSIONS OF NEED CAN BE DIRECTED TOWARD ANOTHER HUMAN BEING AND THEY CAN PROVIDE SUPPORT AND HELP RESOLVING THE NEED. FAILURE TO FORGE A HEALTHY SENSE OF INTER-PERSONAL DEPENDENCY RESULTS IN THE CHILD BEING "UNGROUNDED" AND INTOLERANT OF STRESSFUL SITUATIONS. SUCH INDIVIDUALS TURN TO DRUGS OR ALCOHOL TO COPE AS A TOOL. ALTHOUGH THIS CAN HELP IN THE SHORT RUN, IN THE LONG RUN IT MAKES THE PERSON VERY SICK AND IMPAIRS THEIR ABILITY TO FORGE HEALTHY INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS.