Egosyntonic and egodystonic
Inpsychoanalysis,egosyntonicrefers to the behaviors, values, and feelings that are in harmony with or acceptable to the needs and goals of theego,or consistent with one's idealself-image.Egodystonic(orego alien[1]) is the opposite, referring to thoughts and behaviors (dreams,compulsions,desires, etc.) that are conflicting or dissonant with the needs and goals of the ego, or further, in conflict with a person's ideal self-image.
Applicability
[edit]Abnormal psychologyhas studied egosyntonic and egodystonic concepts in some detail. Manypersonality disordersare egosyntonic, whichmakes their treatment difficultas the patients may not perceive anything wrong and view theirperceptionsand behavior as reasonable and appropriate.[2]For example, a person withnarcissistic personality disorderhas an excessively positive self-regard and rejects suggestions that challenge this viewpoint. This corresponds to the general concept inpsychiatryof poorinsight.Anorexia nervosa,a difficult-to-treat disorder (formerly considered anAxis I disorderbefore the release of the DSM-5) characterized by a distortedbody imageand fear of gaining weight, is also considered egosyntonic because many of its sufferers deny that they have a problem.[3]Problem gambling,however, is only sometimes seen as egosyntonic, depending partly on the reactions of the individual involved and whether they know that their gambling is problematic.[4][5]
An illustration of the differences between an egodystonic and egosyntonic mental disorder is in comparingobsessive–compulsive disorder(OCD) andobsessive–compulsive personality disorder.OCD is considered to be egodystonic as the thoughts and compulsions experienced or expressed are not consistent with the individual'sself-perception,meaning the thoughts are unwanted, distressing, and reflect the opposite of their values, desires, and self-construct. In contrast, obsessive–compulsive personality disorder is egosyntonic, as the patient generally perceives their obsession with orderliness, perfectionism, and control, as reasonable and even desirable.[6][7]
Freudian heritage
[edit]The words "egosyntonic" and "egodystonic" originated as early-1920s translations of the German words "ichgerecht" and "nicht ichgerecht", "ichfremd", or "ichwidrig",[8]which were introduced in 1914 byFreudin his bookOn Narcissism[9]and remained an important part of his conceptual inventory.[10]Freud applied these words to the relationship between a person's "instincts" and their "ego." Freud saw psychic conflict arising when "the original lagging instincts... come into conflict with the ego (or ego-syntonic instincts)".[11]According to him, "ego-dystonic" sexual instincts were bound to be "repressed."[8]Anna Freudstated that psychological “defences”which were “ego-syntonic” were harder to expose than ego-dystonic impulses, because the former are ‘familiar’ and taken for granted.[12]Later psychoanalytic writers emphasised how direct expression of the repressed was ego-dystonic, and indirect expression more ego-syntonic.[13]
Otto Fenicheldistinguished between morbid impulses, which he saw as ego-syntonic, and compulsive symptoms which struck their possessors as ego-alien.[14]Heinz Hartmann,and after himego psychology,also made central use of the twin concepts.[9]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^Howard Rosenthal,Human Services Dictionary(2003) p. 102
- ^Williams, Donna (2008-11-24).The Jumbled Jigsaw: An Insider's Approach to the Treatment of Autistic Spectrum 'Fruit Salads'.Jessica Kingsley.ISBN978-1-84310-281-6.
- ^E. Hollander,Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders(2010) p. 44
- ^Jon Halliday/Peter Fuller eds.,The Psychology of Gambling(London 1974) p. 236 and p. 31
- ^E. Hollander,Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders(2010) p. 92
- ^Aardema, F. & O'Connor. (2007). The menace within: obsessions and the self. International Journal of Cognitive Therapy, 21, 182–197.
- ^Aardema, F. & O'Connor. (2003). Seeing white bears that are not there: Inference processes in obsessions. Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy, 17, 23–37.
- ^abJanssen, Diederik F. (2016).""Psychosexual Development Disorders": Calling and Recalling for Declassification ".Archives of Sexual Behavior.45(7): 1601–1604.doi:10.1007/s10508-016-0787-2.ISSN0004-0002.PMID27393036.S2CID29031029.
- ^abJ. Palombo et al.,Guide to Psychoanalytic Developmental Theories(2009) p. 55
- ^Teresa Brennan,The Interpretation of the Flesh(1992) p. 82
- ^Sigmund Freud,Case Studies II(PFL 9) p. 206
- ^Janet Malcolm,Psychoanalysis: The Impossible Profession(London 1988) p. 36
- ^Daniel Rancour-Laferriere,Sign and Subject(1978) p. 52
- ^Otto Fenichel,The Psychoanalytic Theory of Neurosis(London 1946) p. 382 and p. 367-8