Last Article by Freud

Hi,

I was reading one of the final articles by Freud "Splitting of the Ego in the Process of Defence".

I tried to test out the theory by relating it to my own experience of psychosis, to see if it went anywhere near to an explanation.

My early childhood experience can be seen as a template (although not the same) for my later adult experience of psychosis. In my early childhood I went into the shed of my father and nearly cut off my hand with an electric band saw. What my child mind may have concluded is:

* Loss of limb would be a just punishment for disobeying father:

* Ego splitting: I am in another situation where I must disobey father, but retain the fear of losing a limb as the punishment

1) instinct to disobey father on other matters (I may in fact carry out the action in secret, but not tell him):
* repression of disagreement
* only language matters
* internal voice given supreme importance

2) fear of loss of limb (I may be discovered by father even though I don't tell him anything):
* unbearable reality - regression to earlier stage
* counter fantasy: become someone/something else
* delusion replaces reality - its not me its someone/something else

Internal voice (hallucination) or delusion seems to be related to psychosis.

I wondered if anyone else agrees or disagrees with Freudian ego-splitting as an explanation for psychosis?

H