The Importance of Discussing Fears and Insecurities in Teenagers

It is crucial for teenagers to discuss their fears and insecurities. When therapists and psychologists encourage their adolescent patients to express their feelings, it can help them understand the origins of these fears and begin to find ways to overcome them. With our current understanding of trauma and its effects, psychoanalysis plays a vital role in bringing these traumas to the conscious level. Many harmful experiences are often suppressed by our defense mechanisms to prevent us from reliving the trauma. However, as we have learned about the human mind, these memories do not simply vanish; they are stored deep within the unconscious. When we allow these memories to remain hidden, our conscious mind may manifest the underlying trauma through changes in behavior (Eshel, 2016).

Summary and Conclusion

Psychoanalysis encompasses a broader scope than other schools of thought in psychology (Schultz & Schultz, 2016). It is not a pure science or a singular product; rather, it is a blend of theories, medical traditions, and psychiatric practices. Psychoanalysis primarily focuses on individuals considered to be mentally ill. Sigmund Freud is credited with developing the foundational theories of psychoanalysis, which are based on the belief that all individuals possess unconscious desires, thoughts, memories, and feelings. Distress within the unconscious mind can lead to altered behavior. “Emotional and psychological problems such as depression and anxiety are often rooted in conflicts between the conscious and unconscious mind” (Cherry, 2020). In psychotherapy, patients are encouraged to explore their feelings, desires, memories, and stressors, which can contribute to mental distress. Research has shown that self-examination during therapy can foster long-term emotional maturity.

References

American Psychological Association. (2008). Psychoanalysis. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/ed/graduate/specialize/psychoanalytic#

Carveth, D. L. (2013). Social and historical influences on psychoanalytic thought. Clio’s Psyche, 20, 253-262. Retrieved