psychoanalysis

psy·cho·a·nal·y·sis   (sī'kō-ə-nāl'ĭ-sĭs)    n.   pl. psy·cho·a·nal·y·ses (-sēz') The method of psychological therapy originated by Sigmund Freud in which free association, dream interpretation, and analysis of resistance and transference are used to explore repressed or unconscious impulses, anxieties, and internal conflicts, in order to free psychic energy for mature love and work. The theory of personality developed by Freud that focuses on repression and unconscious forces and includes the concepts of infantile sexuality, resistance, transference, and division of the psyche into the id, ego, and superego. Psychotherapy incorporating this method and theory. psy'cho·an'a·lyst (-ān'ə-lĭst) n., psy'cho·an'a·lyt'ic (-ān'ə-lĭt'ĭk), psy'cho·an'a·lyt'i·cal (-ĭ-kəl) adj., psy'cho·an'a·lyt'i·cal·ly adv.

psychoanalysis

A method of treating mental illness, originating with Sigmund Freud, in which a psychiatrist (analyst) helps a patient discover and confront the causes of the illness. Many psychiatrists believe that these causes are buried deep in the unconscious of the patient and can be brought to the surface through such techniques as hypnosis and the analysis of dreams. Psychoanalysis emphasizes that mental illness usually originates in repressed sexual desires or traumas in childhood.

Note: Psychoanalysis is sometimes simply called analysis.

psychoanalysis 

Main Entry: psy·cho·anal·y·sis
Pronunciation: "sI-kO-&-'nal-&-s&s
Variant: also psych·anal·y·sis /"sI-k&-/
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural psy·cho·anal·y·ses /-"sEz/
1 : a method ofanalyzing psychic phenomena and treating mental and emotional disorders that is based on the concepts and theories of Sigmund Freud, that emphasizes the importance of free association and dreamanalysis, and that involves treatment sessions during which the patient is encouraged to talk freely about personal experiences and especially about early childhood and dreams
2 : a body of empirical findings and a set of theories on human motivation, behavior, and personality development that developed especially with the aid of psychoanalysis
3 : a schoolof psychology, psychiatry, and psychotherapy founded by Sigmund Freud and rooted in and applying psychoanalysis

psychoanalysis psy·cho·a·nal·y·sis (sī'kō-ə-nāl'ĭ-sĭs)
n. pl. psy·cho·a·nal·y·ses (-sēz')

1. The method of psychiatric therapy originated by Sigmund Freud in which free association, dream interpretation, and analysis of resistance and transference are used to explore repressed or unconscious impulses, anxieties, and internal conflicts. Also called psychoanalytic therapy.

2. The theory of personality developed by Freud that focuses on repression and unconscious forces and includes the concepts of infantile sexuality, resistance, transference, and division of the psyche into the id, ego, and superego.

3. Psychiatric treatment incorporating this method and theory.

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psy'cho·an'a·lyt'ic (-ān'ə-lĭt'ĭk) or psy'cho·an'a·lyt'i·cal (-ĭ-kəl) adj.