Difference between revisions of "Obsessional neurosis"

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==Sigmund Freud==
 
==Sigmund Freud==
 
===Symptoms===
 
===Symptoms===
[[Obsessional neurosis]] was first developed as a diagnostic category by [[Sigmund Freud]] in 1894.
+
[[Obsessional neurosis]] was first developed as a diagnostic [[category]] by [[Sigmund Freud]] in 1894. In doing so, [[Freud]] grouped together as one condition a series of [[symptom]]s which had been described long before but which had been linked with a variety of different diagnostic [[categories]].<ref>Laplanche, Jean and Pontalis, Jean-Bertrand. ''The [[Language]] of [[Psycho]]-[[Analysis]]'', trans. Donald Nicholson-Smith, [[London]]: Hogarth Press and the Institute of Psycho-Analysis, 1973 [1967]: 281-2</ref> These [[symptom]]s include obsessions (recurrent [[ideas]]), impulses to perform actions which seem absurd and/or abhorrent to the [[subject]], and "[[rituals]]" (compulsively repeated actions such as checking or washing).
 
 
In doing so, [[Freud]] grouped together as one condition a series of [[symptom]]s which had been described long before but which had been linked with a variety of different diagnostic categories.<ref>Laplanche, Jean and Pontalis, Jean-Bertrand. ''The Language of Psycho-Analysis'', trans. Donald Nicholson-Smith, London: Hogarth Press and the Institute of Psycho-Analysis, 1973 [1967]: 281-2</ref>
 
 
 
These [[symptom]]s include obsessions (recurrent ideas), impulses to perform actions which seem absurd and/or abhorrent to the [[subject]], and "rituals" (compulsively repeated actions such as checking or washing).
 
  
 
==Jacques Lacan==
 
==Jacques Lacan==
 
===Structure===
 
===Structure===
While [[Lacan]] also sees these [[symptom]]s as typical of [[obsessional neurosis]], he argues that [[obsessional neurosis]] designates not a set of [[symptom]]s but an underlying [[structure]] which may or may not manifest itself in the [[symptom]]s typically associated with it.
+
While [[Lacan]] also sees these [[symptom]]s as typical of [[obsessional neurosis]], he argues that [[obsessional neurosis]] designates not a set of [[symptom]]s but an underlying [[structure]] which may or may not [[manifest]] itself in the [[symptom]]s typically associated with it. Thus the [[subject]] may well exhibit none of the typical obsessional [[symptom]]s and yet still be diagnosed as an [[obsessional neurotic]] by a [[Lacan]]ian [[analyst]].
 
 
Thus the [[subject]] may well exhibit none of the typical obsessional [[symptom]]s and yet still be diagnosed as an [[obsessional neurotic]] by a [[Lacan]]ian [[analyst]].
 
  
 
==Neurosis==
 
==Neurosis==
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===Question of Existence===
 
===Question of Existence===
In 1956, [[Lacan]] develops the idea that, like [[hysteria]], [[obsessional neurosis]] is essentially a question which [[being]] poses for the [[subject]].<ref>{{S3}} p.179-80</ref>
+
In 1956, [[Lacan]] develops the [[idea]] that, like [[hysteria]], [[obsessional neurosis]] is essentially a question which [[being]] poses for the [[subject]].<ref>{{S3}} pp. 179-80</ref> The question which constitutes [[obsessional neurosis]] concerns the [[contingency]] of one's [[existence]] (which also testifies to the special burden of [[guilt]] felt by the [[obsessional]]); the [[obsessional]] performs some compulsive [[ritual]] because he thinks that this will enable him to escape the [[lack]] in the [[Other]], the [[castration]] of the [[Other]], which is often represented in [[fantasy]] as some terrible disaster.
 
 
The question which constitutes [[obsessional neurosis]] concerns the contingency of one's [[existence]] (which also testifies to the special burden of [[guilt]] felt by the [[obsessional]]); the [[obsessional]] performs some compulsive ritual because he thinks that this will enable him to escape the [[lack]] in the [[Other]], the [[castration]] of the [[Other]], which is often represented in [[fantasy]] as some terrible disaster.
 
  
 
===Example of Rat Man===
 
===Example of Rat Man===
For example, in the case of one of [[Freud]]'s [[obsessional neurotic]] [[patient]]s, whom [[Freud]] nicknamed the [[Rat Man]], the [[patient]] had developed elaborate rituals which he performed to war off the [[fear]] of a terrible punishment being inflicted on his [[father]] or on his beloved.<ref>[[Freud|Freud, Sigmund]]. "[[Works of Sigmund Freud|Notes Upon a Case of Obsessional Neurosis]]," 1909d. [[SE]] X, 155</ref>
+
For example, in the [[case]] of one of [[Freud]]'s [[obsessional neurotic]] [[patient]]s, whom [[Freud]] nicknamed the [[Rat Man]], the [[patient]] had developed elaborate rituals which he performed to war off the [[fear]] of a terrible [[punishment]] being inflicted on his [[father]] or on his [[beloved]].<ref>[[Freud|Freud, Sigmund]]. "[[Works of Sigmund Freud|Notes Upon a Case of Obsessional Neurosis]]," 1909d. [[SE]] X, 155</ref>
  
 
===Structure of Religion===
 
===Structure of Religion===
These rituals, both in their form and content, led [[Freud]] to draw parallels between the [[structure]] of [[obsessional neurosis]] and the [[structure]] of [[religion]], parallels which [[Lacan]] also notes.
+
These rituals, both in their [[form]] and [[content]], led [[Freud]] to draw parallels between the [[structure]] of [[obsessional neurosis]] and the [[structure]] of [[religion]], parallels which [[Lacan]] also [[notes]].
  
 
===Sexual Position===
 
===Sexual Position===
Whereas the [[hysterical]] question concerns the [[subject]]'s [[sexual position]] ("Am I a [[man]] or a [[woman]]?"), the [[obsessional neurotic]] repudiates this question, refusing both sexes, calling himself neither [[male]] nor [[female]]:
+
Whereas the [[hysterical]] question concerns the [[subject]]'s [[sexual position]] ("Am I a [[man]] or a [[woman]]?"), the [[obsessional neurotic]] repudiates this question, refusing both [[sexes]], calling himself neither [[male]] nor [[female]]:
  
 
<blockquote>"The obsessional is precisely neither one [sex] nor the other - one may also say that he is both at once."<ref>{{S3}} p. 249</ref></blockquote>
 
<blockquote>"The obsessional is precisely neither one [sex] nor the other - one may also say that he is both at once."<ref>{{S3}} p. 249</ref></blockquote>
  
 
===Attitude to Time===
 
===Attitude to Time===
[[Lacan]] also draws attention to the way that the [[obsessional neurotic]]'s question about [[existence]] and [[death]] has consequences for his attitude to [[time]].
+
[[Lacan]] also draws attention to the way that the [[obsessional neurotic]]'s question [[about]] [[existence]] and [[death]] has consequences for his attitude to [[time]]. This attitude can be one of perpetual [[hesitation]] and procrastination while waiting for [[death]],<ref>{{E}} p. 99</ref> or of considering oneself immortal because one is already [[dead]].<ref>{{S3}} p. 180</ref>
 
 
This attitude can be one of perpetual hesitation and procrastination while waiting for [[death]],<ref>{{E}} p. 99</ref> or of considering oneself immortal because one is already [[dead]].<ref>{{S3}} p. 180</ref>
 
  
 
===Guilt and Anal Eroticism===
 
===Guilt and Anal Eroticism===
Other features of [[obsessional neurosis]] which [[Lacan]] comments on are the sense of [[guilt]], and the close connection with anal eroticism.
+
Other features of [[obsessional neurosis]] which [[Lacan]] comments on are the [[sense]] of [[guilt]], and the close connection with [[anal]] [[eroticism]]. In respect of the latter, [[Lacan]] remarks that the [[Obsessional neurosis|obsessional neurotic]] does not only transform his shit into gifts and his gifts into shit, but also transforms himself into shit.<ref>{{S8}} p. 243</ref>
 
 
In respect of the latter, [[Lacan]] remarks that the [[Obsessional neurosis|obsessional neurotic]] does not only transform his shit into gifts and his gifts into shit, but also transforms himself into shit.<ref>{{S8}} p. 243</ref>
 
  
 
==See Also==
 
==See Also==
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== References ==
 
== References ==
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<div style="font-size:11px" class="references-small">
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
 
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</div>
 
[[Category:Dictionary]]
 
[[Category:Dictionary]]
 
[[Category:Jacques Lacan]]
 
[[Category:Jacques Lacan]]

Latest revision as of 20:15, 20 May 2019

French: névrose obsessionnelle

Sigmund Freud

Symptoms

Obsessional neurosis was first developed as a diagnostic category by Sigmund Freud in 1894. In doing so, Freud grouped together as one condition a series of symptoms which had been described long before but which had been linked with a variety of different diagnostic categories.[1] These symptoms include obsessions (recurrent ideas), impulses to perform actions which seem absurd and/or abhorrent to the subject, and "rituals" (compulsively repeated actions such as checking or washing).

Jacques Lacan

Structure

While Lacan also sees these symptoms as typical of obsessional neurosis, he argues that obsessional neurosis designates not a set of symptoms but an underlying structure which may or may not manifest itself in the symptoms typically associated with it. Thus the subject may well exhibit none of the typical obsessional symptoms and yet still be diagnosed as an obsessional neurotic by a Lacanian analyst.

Neurosis

Following Freud, Lacan classes obsessional neurosis as one of the main forms of neurosis.

Question of Existence

In 1956, Lacan develops the idea that, like hysteria, obsessional neurosis is essentially a question which being poses for the subject.[2] The question which constitutes obsessional neurosis concerns the contingency of one's existence (which also testifies to the special burden of guilt felt by the obsessional); the obsessional performs some compulsive ritual because he thinks that this will enable him to escape the lack in the Other, the castration of the Other, which is often represented in fantasy as some terrible disaster.

Example of Rat Man

For example, in the case of one of Freud's obsessional neurotic patients, whom Freud nicknamed the Rat Man, the patient had developed elaborate rituals which he performed to war off the fear of a terrible punishment being inflicted on his father or on his beloved.[3]

Structure of Religion

These rituals, both in their form and content, led Freud to draw parallels between the structure of obsessional neurosis and the structure of religion, parallels which Lacan also notes.

Sexual Position

Whereas the hysterical question concerns the subject's sexual position ("Am I a man or a woman?"), the obsessional neurotic repudiates this question, refusing both sexes, calling himself neither male nor female:

"The obsessional is precisely neither one [sex] nor the other - one may also say that he is both at once."[4]

Attitude to Time

Lacan also draws attention to the way that the obsessional neurotic's question about existence and death has consequences for his attitude to time. This attitude can be one of perpetual hesitation and procrastination while waiting for death,[5] or of considering oneself immortal because one is already dead.[6]

Guilt and Anal Eroticism

Other features of obsessional neurosis which Lacan comments on are the sense of guilt, and the close connection with anal eroticism. In respect of the latter, Lacan remarks that the obsessional neurotic does not only transform his shit into gifts and his gifts into shit, but also transforms himself into shit.[7]

See Also

References

  1. Laplanche, Jean and Pontalis, Jean-Bertrand. The Language of Psycho-Analysis, trans. Donald Nicholson-Smith, London: Hogarth Press and the Institute of Psycho-Analysis, 1973 [1967]: 281-2
  2. Lacan, Jacques. The Seminar. Book III. The Psychoses, 1955-56. Trans. Russell Grigg. London: Routledge, 1993. pp. 179-80
  3. Freud, Sigmund. "Notes Upon a Case of Obsessional Neurosis," 1909d. SE X, 155
  4. Lacan, Jacques. The Seminar. Book III. The Psychoses, 1955-56. Trans. Russell Grigg. London: Routledge, 1993. p. 249
  5. Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A Selection. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Tavistock Publications, 1977. p. 99
  6. Lacan, Jacques. The Seminar. Book III. The Psychoses, 1955-56. Trans. Russell Grigg. London: Routledge, 1993. p. 180
  7. Lacan, Jacques. Le Séminaire. Livre VIII. Le transfert, 1960-61. Ed. Jacques-Alain Miller. Paris: Seuil, 1991. p. 243