INTRODUCING FREUD: Hysteria

Psychoanalysis emerged from Freud’s work on hysteria.

From his determination to develop a method for relieving its symptoms, and from his attempts to formulate a theory to explain the mechanism of their formation. We will explore hysteria as a cultural phenomenon of the late 19th century and as a psychoanalytic concept, analysing in detail Freud’s thinking as it developed up to the moment when he believed he had created a complete theory of the disorder – and beyond this to the abandonment of that first theory, which opened the way for the creation of his final, mature conception of neurosis. We will also study his clinical practice as it gradually evolved into what we now recognise as ‘psychoanalysis’ – and discuss Freud’s personal involvement with the problem of hysteria.

Hysteria day course outline.

This is the first of five Saturday courses offering a complete introduction to Freud. The course will be accessible to beginners – but is also designed for those already familiar with Freud’s work who wish to acquaint themselves with the results of the latest research and scholarship, and up-date themselves on the recent debates addressing the intellectual issues and controversies surrounding it.