The International Library of Psychology PSYCHOANALYSIS AND SUGGESTION THERAPY Founded by C. K. Ogden The International Library of Psychology PSYCHOANALYSIS In 28 Volumes I The Elements of Practical Psycho-Analysis Bousfield II A Neglected Complex and its Relation to Freudian Psychology Bousfield III The Omnipotent Self Bousfield IV The Social Basis of Consciousness Burrow V What is Psychoanalysis? Coriat VI The Psychoanalytic Theory of Neurosis Fenichel VII The Technique of Psycho-Analysis Forsyth VIII Leonardo da Vinci Freud IX Totem and Taboo Freud X Wit and its Relation to the Unconscious Freud XI Morbid Fears and Compulsions Frink XII Facts and Theories of Psychoanalysis Hendrick XIII Fathers or Sons? Hopkins XIV Neurosis and Human Growth Horney XV The Neurotic Personality of Our Time Horney XVI New Ways in Psychoanalysis Horney XVII Our Inner Conflicts Horney XVIII Self-Analysis Horney XIX Childhood and After Isaacs XX Social Development in Young Children Isaacs XXI Problems in Psychopathology Mitchell XXII The Psychoanalytic Method Pfister XXIII The Trauma of Birth Rank XXIV On the Bringing Up of Children Rickman XXV Conflict and Dream Rivers XXVI Psychoanalysis and Suggestion Therapy Stekel XXVII Psychoanalysis and Behaviour Tridon XXVIII Character and the Unconscious van der Hoop PSYCHOANALYSIS AND SUGGESTION THERAPY Their Technique, Applications, Results, Limits, Dangers and Excesses WILHELM STEKEL R O U T L E D G E First published in 1923 by Routledge, Trench, Trubner & Co., Ltd. Reprinted in 1999 by Routledge 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN Transferred to Digital Printing 2007 © 1923 Wilhelm Stekel, Translated by James S van Teslaar All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilized in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. The publishers have made every effort to contact authors/copyright holders of the works reprinted in the International Library of Psychology. This has not been possible in every case, however, and we would welcome correspondence from those individuals/companies we have been unable to trace. These reprints are taken from original copies of each book. In many cases the condition of these originals is not perfect. The publisher has gone to great lengths to ensure the quality of these reprints, but wishes to point out that certain characteristics of the original copies will, of necessity, be apparent in reprints thereof. British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Psychoanalysis and Suggestion Therapy ISBN 0415-21107-7 Psychoanalysis: 28 Volumes ISBN 0415-21132-8 The International Library of Psychology: 204 Volumes ISBN 0415-19132-7 Wenn jemand alle glücklichen Einfälle seines Lebens dicht zusammen sammelte, so würde ein gutes Werk daraus werden. Jedermann ist eigent- lich des Jahres einmal ein Genie. Die eigentlich sogennanten Genies haben nur die guten Einfälle dichter. Man sieht also, wie viel darauf ankommt, alles aufzuschreiben.—LICHTENBERG. [If one could assemble in compact form all the happy ideas that have occurred to him in a life-time the result would be a good work. Everyone is really a genius at least once a year. The so-called geniuses simply have the good ideas occurring to them more closely together. Thus it is evidently highly desirable to write them all down as and when they occur.] This page intentionally left blank TRANSLATOR’S PREFACE IN this work Dr. Wm. Stekel not only outlines in telling strokes the working technique and the practical applications of the New Psychology, a field in which the author ranks as one of the foremost masters and pioneers, but the uses of various other forms of psycho- therapy, including the much-discussed method of hypnosis, are also given and defined, The author’s emphasis is laid on the end-results of the various methods of treatment. The busy practitioner and the nervous sufferer who seeks advice because he earnestly means to get well are alike interested in the first place in results. Another characteristic feature which distinguishes this work from all other introductory treatises is the instructive, clear-cut manner in which the author, on the basis of his own experience with the various psycho- therapeutic methods in vogue, points out the limi- tations of each and the dangers of excess. It is most helpful and highly instructive to find one of the pioneers discussing so frankly the limitations and the possible dangers of psychoanalysis. That is a much-needed lesson, and it should save many an over-enthusiastic beginner from regrettable errors or excesses. Viii Translator’s Preface In addition to the true scientist’s candor, Dr. Stekel displays the qualities and skill of a born teacher in the manner in which he treats the various practical problems relating to the practice of psychotherapy. The volume is not only a reliable guide : in the midst of the many over-enthusiastic works on psychoanalysis and psychotherapy for beginners, it stands out as a timely corrective, and I am, therefore, glad to provide an English version of this much-needed warning by a master-hand. JAMES S. VAN TESLAAR. Brookline, Mass. CONTENTS PAGE PART I. TECHNIQUE AND APPLICATIONS OF PSYCHOANALYSIS AND PSYCHO- THERAPY . . . . . . . . . . I FREUD’S FIRST TECHNIQUE FREE ASSOCIATIONS THE ASSOCIATION METHOD THE WILL TO BE ILL THE PSYCHIC CONFLICT PSYCHOANALYSIS AND RE-EDUCATION ANALYSIS IS NOT AN INQUISITION THE ANALYSIS OF A PHYSICIAN SUFFERING FROM IMPOTENTIA AND ACATHISIA ANALYSIS AND SUGGESTION THE SPECIFIC CAPACITY FOR HYPNOSIS EXPERIENCES IN A WAR HOSPITAL HYPNOSIS AS AN AID THE PSYCHOANALYTIC RANGE OF USEFULNESS FREUD’S EARLIER VIEWS MY MODIFICATIONS CURABILITY OF PARAPHILIAS THERAPEUTIC RESULTS IN THE ANALYTIC TREAT- MENT OF THE PSYCHOSES THE NEED OF TEACHING DEPARTMENTS FOR PSYCHOTHERAPY AND SEXOLOGY IN OUR MEDICAL SCHOOLS AND INSTITUTIONS FOR POST-GRADUATE INSTRUCTION