Over 100 years ago Sigmund Freud observed that in many cases of
psychological disturbance
there was also disturbance in sexual functioning. His leap of genius was to suggest, that psychological symptoms are
the result of some, underdevelopment, blockage or diversion of the libido
(life force and sexual energy). This blockage was seen to prevent the pleasurable expression
of life force so instead
it manifests as
psychological distress (anxiety, depression, etc) and resulted in restricted sexual
expression.
Sigmund Freud's understanding was based on his drive
theory. His revolutionary idea was that human behaviour and experience
was largely determined by unconscious processes. He considered that these
processes where powered by instinctual drives. The most influential of these drives he termed the libido (life energy).
Freud suggested that when an infant was born the libido was directly
primarily though suckling and feeding from which the infant derives
great pleasure. This pleasurable expression of the libido changes focus
as the child develops from oral, to anal, though a period of latency to
a focus on the genitals from puberty and beyond.
In
adulthood this life force can be expressed in an infinite number different
ways, including work, play, parenting, creativity as well as all manner
of sexual
expression.
©
Malcolm Idoine for Auckland Therapy Blog,
16 Jan 2019