Neurotic Conflict: A Review of the Literature
Introduction
Neurotic conflict is a psychological concept that has been studied extensively over the past century. Neurotic conflict is defined as an internal struggle between the conscious and unconscious mind, between the ego and the id, that results in feelings of anxiety and distress. This internal conflict is often the result of unresolved issues from the past, such as trauma, unresolved emotions, or repressed memories. It can manifest itself as a variety of symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, or addiction, and can be a contributing factor to many mental health issues. This paper will review the literature on neurotic conflict and discuss the implications for clinical practice.
Discussion
Neurotic conflict can be traced back to the work of early psychoanalytic theorists, such as Sigmund Freud, who believed that neurosis was caused by unresolved conflicts between the conscious and unconscious mind. Freud proposed that these conflicts could be resolved through psychoanalytic treatment, which was aimed at helping patients to become aware of and work through their unconscious desires and feelings. According to Freud, the process of working through these conflicts could lead to the resolution of neurosis.
More recent theorists have expanded on Freud’s theories and proposed that neurotic conflict is caused by a variety of factors, including unresolved trauma, unresolved emotions, and repressed memories. For example, Bowlby (1969) proposed that unresolved attachment issues from childhood can lead to neurotic conflict in adulthood. Similarly, Breuer and Freud (1895) suggested that unresolved traumatic experiences can lead to neurotic conflict. Finally, Herman (1992) proposed that unresolved emotions can lead to neurotic conflict.
The concept of neurotic conflict has implications for clinical practice. Therapists should be aware of the role of neurotic conflict in psychological distress and work to identify and resolve unresolved issues that may be causing the conflict. Additionally, therapists should be aware of the potential for neurotic conflict to manifest in a variety of symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, and addiction. Finally, therapists should be familiar with the psychoanalytic approach to resolving neurotic conflict and how it can help patients understand and work through their unconscious desires and feelings.
Conclusion
Neurotic conflict is an important concept in psychoanalytic theory and clinical practice. It is defined as an internal struggle between the conscious and unconscious mind that can lead to psychological distress. Neurotic conflict is thought to be caused by a variety of factors, including unresolved trauma, unresolved emotions, and repressed memories. This paper has reviewed the literature on neurotic conflict and discussed the implications for clinical practice.
References
Bowlby, J. (1969). Attachment and loss: Vol. 1. Attachment. New York, NY: Basic Books.
Breuer, J., & Freud, S. (1895). Studies on hysteria. London, UK: Hogarth Press.
Herman, J. (1992). Trauma and recovery. New York, NY: Basic Books.