Exploring the Path to Healing: Overcoming Fixation According to Freud

Freud's theories on psychosexual development and the concept of fixation have profoundly influenced modern psychological practices. According to Freud, fixation occurs when an individual becomes stuck at a particular stage of psychosexual development due to unresolved conflicts or unmet needs. This article will delve into how Freud's approaches to overcoming fixation can be applied today through therapy, self-awareness, and developing healthier relationships.

Understanding Fixation According to Freud

Freud believed that if a child successfully completes the five early life stages dealing with the erogenous zones, they would develop into healthy adults. Conversely, if they did not complete these stages and developed fixation, they would experience mental distress as adults. For example, a fixation at the anal stage could result in an anal-retentive or anal-expulsive personality, manifested in behaviors like being overly neat or extremely disorganized between roommates.

The Therapeutic Approach to Overcoming Fixation

Freud's therapeutic techniques to overcome fixation involved helping individuals access their unconscious by discussing their thoughts and feelings. Techniques such as free association, transference, and counter-transference were used to uncover unconscious emotions, beliefs, and impulses. By doing so, he believed that repressed desires would surface, leading to a profound realization for the individual.

Key Approaches to Therapy

Psychoanalysis: Engaging in psychoanalytic therapy allows individuals to explore their unconscious thoughts and feelings, bringing repressed memories and conflicts to the surface. This process facilitates understanding and resolution. Insight and Self-Awareness: Gaining insight into the origins of one's behavior and understanding how past experiences influence current actions can lead to personal growth. This self-awareness helps individuals recognize and change patterns of fixation. Working Through Conflicts: Emphasizing the importance of resolving unresolved conflicts from earlier developmental stages. This might involve confronting fears, anxieties, or traumas from those stages. Transference: In therapy, individuals may project feelings about important figures in their lives onto the therapist. Exploring these feelings helps individuals recognize their fixations and work towards resolving them. Developing Healthy Relationships: Building and maintaining healthy relationships can provide new experiences and emotional support, fostering growth and development.

Modern Perspective on Freud's Theories

While Freud's theories have been influential, modern psychology has evolved to incorporate more nuanced understanding and treatment methods. The preconscious or subconscious mind, introduced by Freud, plays a role in memory and thought processes, but accessing this part for accurate information can be complex. Memory is stored and retrieved differently over time, and it can become distorted. Therefore, it is important to consider the reliability of memory when exploring psychoanalytic theories.

Critique of Freud’s Subconscious Method

Despite the power and influence of Freud's theories, it's important to critically evaluate the reliance on the subconscious for accurate information. Memory alone may not be a reliable source, as it can become distorted with time. Additionally, individuals can develop false memories due to suggestibility by others or prolonged therapy sessions. For instance, a case where a girl believed her father sexually assaulted her, only for the incident to be later denounced, highlights the potential dangers of relying solely on memory.

Conclusion

In conclusion, overcoming fixation can be approached through various therapeutic techniques that enhance self-awareness, resolve past conflicts, and promote healthier emotional and relational patterns. While Freud's methods have laid a foundational framework for understanding and treating fixation, a more nuanced and comprehensive approach is necessary in contemporary psychology. Continuous research and evolving theories ensure that therapeutic practices remain effective and grounded in evidence-based practices.