The Return of the Couch: Why Psychoanalysis is Having a Moment
Instagram accounts dedicated to Freudian theory boast nearly 1.5 million followers. Television shows like “Couples Therapy” are compulsive viewing. From The New York Times to The Guardian, publications are declaring psychoanalysis’s resurrection. After decades on the fringes of scientific circles, largely eclipsed by behavioral psychology and pharmaceutical interventions, Sigmund Freud’s ideas are experiencing a significant comeback.
Beyond the English-Speaking World: A Global Perspective
While psychoanalysis waned in popularity in the English-speaking world, its influence persisted elsewhere. Throughout the 20th century, psychoanalytic institutes flourished in places like Paris, Buenos Aires, São Paulo, and Tel Aviv. In Argentina, the practice remains remarkably popular – a joke exists that one can’t fly to Buenos Aires without encountering an analyst. This global disparity highlights that the story of psychoanalysis isn’t simply one of decline, but of uneven adoption and enduring cultural relevance.
Trauma, Authoritarianism, and the Unconscious
The resurgence isn’t accidental. A key driver appears to be a response to periods of political and social upheaval. In Argentina, psychoanalysis gained traction during the “dirty war,” offering a framework for grappling with loss, silence, and state-sponsored violence. Similarly, figures like Frantz Fanon utilized psychoanalytic principles to critique colonial oppression. The ability of psychoanalysis to address trauma, repression, and the unconscious makes it uniquely suited to understanding and responding to authoritarianism.
Making Sense of the Senseless
Today, as new forms of autocracy emerge and global crises mount, this relevance is being rediscovered. Psychoanalysis provides tools for understanding how authoritarian impulses take root in individuals and societies, offering a way to make sense of the seemingly senseless.
Neuroscience and the Modernization of Psychoanalysis
The revival isn’t simply a nostalgic return to old ideas. Contemporary thinkers are integrating psychoanalysis with modern neuroscience. Mark Solms, for example, argues in his recent book, The Only Cure, that Freud’s theories about the unconscious were fundamentally correct, supported by neurological research, and that psychoanalytic treatments offer lasting curative effects where other approaches fall short.
A New Generation of Psychoanalytic Thinkers
Beyond Solms, a growing number of clinician-intellectuals – including Jamieson Webster, Patricia Gherovici, Avgi Saketopoulou, and Lara Sheehi – are revitalizing the field. Their work explores the core concepts of psychoanalysis – the unconscious, the “death drive,” narcissism, and repression – in relation to contemporary challenges.
Challenging the Status Quo: Psychoanalysis in the 21st Century
The resurgence is also prompting a critical re-evaluation of psychoanalytic practice itself. Traditional assumptions about therapist neutrality and heteronormativity are being challenged. Psychoanalysis is being reimagined alongside social justice and solidarity movements, fostering a more inclusive and responsive approach to mental health.
Why Now? A Resistance to Commodification
In an increasingly commodified world, psychoanalysis offers a counterpoint. It resists reducing psychological distress to chemical imbalances or symptoms to be managed. Instead, it prioritizes deep exploration of the individual’s inner world, emphasizing human creativity and connection in the face of artificial intelligence and shortened attention spans. It challenges conventional definitions of value and prioritizes individual experiences of suffering, and desire.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is psychoanalysis? Psychoanalysis is both a theory of personality and a therapeutic practice founded by Sigmund Freud, focusing on exploring the unconscious mind.
- Why is psychoanalysis making a comeback? Its resurgence is linked to periods of political upheaval, trauma, and a desire for deeper understanding of the human psyche.
- Is psychoanalysis scientifically valid? Contemporary neuropsychoanalysts are finding neurological support for Freud’s theories, bridging the gap between traditional psychoanalysis and modern science.
- Where is psychoanalysis most popular today? While experiencing a revival globally, it remains particularly popular in South America, especially Argentina.
Pro Tip: Exploring the work of contemporary psychoanalytic thinkers can provide valuable insights into the evolving relevance of these ideas.
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