How to Write a Psychoanalysis Essay

Case Study: Olivia

1. Understand the Basics of Psychoanalysis

Psychoanalysis, founded by Sigmund Freud, focuses on exploring the unconscious mind, repressed emotions, and early life experiences that influence behavior. Key concepts include unconscious conflicts, defense mechanisms, and psychosexual development.

2. Plan Your Essay

Break down your essay into logical sections. Common sections include:

• Introduction: Provide a brief overview of psychoanalysis, its origin, and relevance.
• Case Analysis: Apply psychoanalytic theories to a specific case or situation (if applicable).
• Key Concepts and Techniques: Discuss tools like free association, dream analysis, and transference.
• Implications: Analyze the outcomes and benefits of psychoanalysis in understanding and resolving issues.
• Conclusion: Summarize the significance and limitations of psychoanalysis.

3. Research Thoroughly

Gather credible sources, including Freud’s works and modern interpretations, to support your arguments. If you’re analyzing a case, use real-life examples or hypothetical scenarios to illustrate concepts.

4. Write with Clarity and Structure

• Introduction: Start with a hook (e.g., a quote from Freud), provide context, and state your thesis.
• Body Paragraphs: Dedicate each paragraph to a specific concept, theory, or technique.
  • Example: Discuss dream analysis as a tool to access the unconscious, linking it to Freud’s theory.
• Case Application: Use psychoanalytic principles to analyze behaviors or symptoms in a case study.
• Implications: Discuss how psychoanalysis helps in self-awareness, emotional healing, or uncovering repressed memories.
• Conclusion: Reflect on psychoanalysis’s relevance and future applications.

5. Integrate Real-Life Examples

When possible, refer to case studies, historical applications, or fictional characters to illustrate psychoanalytic concepts.

6. Proofread and Edit

Ensure clarity, coherence, and academic tone. Verify citations follow the required format (APA, MLA, etc.).

Olivia Case Study

Olivia is a 33-year-old biracial (African American and White) cisgender female. She has three children ages 9, 6, and 18 months who all live with her in a two-bedroom rental home. Currently she is separated from her husband, Miles, who is a White cisgender male. They are in a lengthy and emotional court battle over her request for a divorce. Miles is suing her for custody of their children. Olivia states that he has “a drinking problem” and at times has been physically and verbally violent, none of which has been reported.

Olivia has her associate degree in cosmetology, but because Miles has been

financially successful, she has not sustained meaningful employment since the birth of

their first child and instead has focused on being a stay-at-home mother. She presents

to counseling for symptoms of anxiety and depression. She is still nursing her 18-

month-old, reports sleeping 2-4 hours per night, and wakes up feeling exhausted. She

repeatedly dreams she is falling down a large hole in the ground, but she never hits the

bottom. She wakes up sweating and feeling panicked. Her food intake mainly consists

of fast-food meals and eating leftovers from what she fixes for her kids, but often she

skips meals during the day and engages in binges on foods like potato chips and

miniature candy bars late at night. She seldom leaves the home, which is kept dark

much of the time. She reports she has a short temper with her children and often

experiences feelings of guilt about her divorce, and “not being good enough” as a mom.

She reports feeling lonely, isolated, and has a desire to “be loved by someone who

understands and cares about me.” She reports that she grew up attending Church, but has not been to church in some time and feels disconnected from the community of believers. She feels that if she had more faith, she wouldn’t be struggling with feelings of depression and anxiety. Her primary care physician has prescribed an antidepressant medication, which she has been taking as prescribed for the past month.

Olivia’s social history indicates she is the second of three children in what she reports was a generally healthy and high-functioning family of origin. She is close with her mother and speaks with her every day. She reports her father died five years ago and that they always struggled with their relationship—she notes she “never felt good

enough in his eyes” and “my older sister was clearly his favorite.” Olivia reports a

history of having seen a counselor once “a long time ago” but does not elaborate. She

refused to respond to questions about history of emotional, physical, or sexual abuse

outside of what she has noted about her husband. Her primary concern for seeking

treatment is, “I want to feel better about myself, be a better mom, and get my life back.”