Dora: An Analysis of A Case of Hysteria

In "Dora: An Analysis of a Case of Hysteria" Sigmund Freud established the method and pattern of scientific documentation of what we now call a case study. One thing he did was to give his patient a pseudonym so as to protect her from being identified. He continued the practice by ascribing to the people relevant to her case by a single initial. It is clear that "hysteria" is no longer a diagnosis, nor a condition. Freud was a person of his time and he wrote the book a century ago. But, it is an interesting read, largely for seeing how he was developing psychological study as a science. Remember, prior to Freud and his contemporaries the prevalent idea in studying behavior was phrenology, in which people read the topography of a show more person's head in order to infer things about their personality and behavior. Freud was a leader of the movement to create a proper science in psychology to replace the pseudoscience of phrenology. And this book is a historical example of sometimes stumbling in that process, while also laying groundwork for development. I recommend this book for anyone interested in the history of psychology. show less

Interesting and enjoyable read. Exposes certain of what are, in my opinion, the shortcomings of the psychoanalytic mode of reasoning (e.g., and disagreement with an analysis is a resistance) and its general lack of a method that resembles hypothesis-test-refutation/confirmation.

This is basic and straightforward Freud. For those initially seeking to understand him and his thesis', I believe that it is important. However, to those who have read his other material (particularly his important works) I feel that it is much less fundamental and important to the overall understanding of Freud and the mechanics that drove his work.

Overall, a satisfactory read.

After studying this book for my doctoral exams, I have my own conclusions about this book. This is why I am classifying it as fiction, as well as nonfiction.

אחת מסיפורי המקרים הראשונים של פרויד. מרתק לקרוא כסיפור בלשי את דילוגי ההיגיון שהוא עושה כדי לפענח את בייתה של דורה ולהבין את חלומתיה. חלק מהדילוגים אולי קצת נועזים מדי אבל עדיין עבודה של גאון. הכתיבה עצמה בהירה, פשוטה ובלי כל המילים שאנשי מקצוע מתחבאים מאחורייהם כשהם לא בטוחים בעצמם

Con questa pubblicazione tanto incompiuta ho voluto raggiungere due scopi.
In primo luogo integrare il mio precedente libro sull'interpretazione dei sogni...
In secondo luogo ho voluto destare interesse per una serie di rapporti ancor oggi assolutamente ignorati dalla Scienza...
Forse nessuno aveva potuto avere prima d'ora un'idea esatta della complessità dei processi psichici nell'isteria, della coesistenza dei moti più diversi, della connessionereciproca dei contrari, delle rimozioni e degli spostamenti e così via.