Why was the case of Anna O. of such importance in Freud’s thinking?
Anna O was a patient of Breuer, who, Freud considered a father figure. Anna suffered from hallucinations, paralysis, distortion in speech and vision. Breuer treated Anna using hypnosis.
Freud under the influence of Breuer also started applying the art of hypnosis to his patients. Freud was also introduced to the method of cathartic. Anna O recounted all her experience to Breuer.
This therapy was later known as talking cure. When the patient relieved himself or herself by recounting troubled memories, he or she is actually letting go of those feelings. Breuer noticed that by this therapy Anna’s symptom reduced.
Freud had maintained this since the beginning that sexual encounters during the childhood causes neurotic illness. The case of Anna O introduced Freud to methods or techniques that he could use to treat his patients.