psychoanalysis

[ sahy-koh-uh-nal-uh-sis ]

noun

1. a systematic structure of theories concerning the relation of conscious and unconscious psychological processes.
2. a technical procedure for investigating unconscious mental processes and for treating psychoneuroses.

psychoanalysis

/ ˌsaɪkəʊˈænəlɪst; ˌsaɪkəʊəˈnælɪsɪs; ˌsaɪkəʊˌænəˈlɪtɪk /

noun

1. a method of studying the mind and treating mental and emotional disorders based on revealing and investigating the role of the unconscious mind

psychoanalysis

1. 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.

Notes

Psychoanalysis is sometimes simply called analysis.

Derived Forms

• psychoanalyst, noun
• ˌpsychoˌanaˈlytically, adverb
• psychoanalytic, adjective

Other Words From

• psy·cho·an·a·lyt·ic [sahy-koh-an-l-, it, -ik], psy·cho·an·a·lyt·i·cal [sahy-koh-an-l-, it, -i-k, uh, l], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of psychoanalysis¹

From the German word Psychoanalyse, dating back to 1905–10. See psycho-, analysis

Example Sentences

Cutler isn’t one for overt psychoanalysis, but the choice to sprout the narrative in Edward Kostyra’s iron-fisted influence as opposed to featuring Stewart’s mother, a beloved recurring guest on her syndicated daytime show, is eye-opening.

From Salon

She even explained to me, "It is not psychoanalysis. I'm going to talk to you. I'm not going to make you just sit there and talk to me."

From Salon

Desperate to restore his memory and prove his innocence, she brings him to her own analyst for emergency psychoanalysis, hoping a single session can restore the patient to reality.

From Slate

None of those events, or dozens of others we could name, can adequately be explained or consigned to the past with the help of psychoanalysis or political screeds on Facebook or the tortured manifestos left behind by murderers.

From Salon

“When an actor goes to acting school, you’re basically going through psychoanalysis anyway,” he reckons.

From Los Angeles Times