The Journal of Abnormal Psychology (Volume 6)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1912. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... OF HYSTERIA BY ISADOR H. CORIAT, M.D., BOSTON, MASS. I.--The Problem of Hysteria From the various problems offered by the psychic mechanism of hysteria have originated vistas in psychopathology which are of greater value than those offered by any other psychoneurosis. The light thrown upon this subject, however, cannot be gained through a mere superficial study of cases from the clinical standpoint alone, but other evidence must be gathered by means of all the known devices of psychopathological research. For this purpose long observation and minute analyses are necessary, as no details are too small or too unimportant for the study of the psychogenesis of an hysterical dissociation, particularly when we consider the large part played by the conscious or subconscious life experiences of an individual in the predetermination and formation of hysterical symptoms. In presenting a study of the following case of hysteria, it is felt that a certain amount of criticism will be disarmed, particularly in the interpretation of the dreams, when it is stated at the beginning that the subject of this analysis has been under close observation and study for a period of more than one and a half years. Furthermore, the subject was a highly intelligent and cultured young woman, who understood the purpose of the analysis and thoroughly co-operated in it. Her mental makeup was such that it was often possible to trace the origin of her present symptoms to a very early period in her childhood life, a procedure which would have been wellnigh impossible in a less intelligent individual. Detailed studies of this type are rather uncommon, in fact, the literature furnishes but a few examples.* Con *See particularly S. Freud. Studien ueber HyBterie (particularly the cases of Miss Lucy R. a...