The Collected Clinical Works of Alfred Adler, Volume 7 - Journal Articles: 1931-1937 by Adler Alfred

Author:Adler, Alfred [Adler, Alfred]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Alfred Adler Institute of Northwestern Washington
Published: 2011-07-17T05:00:00+00:00

In an actual examination we do not start with dreams; we start with the complaints. From these complaints, we try to deduce the type of problem the individual faces: a problem of society, occupation, or love. Many factors can help us: age, social and economic status, position in the family. For example, if a patient is eight years old, then probably it is a school problem; if he is eighteen, it is likely to be a love problem; if he is fifty, an age problem. But the nature of the problem must always be confirmed. We must first find proofs for everything in Individual Psychology. The next step is to find the situation in which the problem arose. This situation will affirm or disprove our original supposition. After that we may use early memories, dreams, etc., to complete the picture of the style of life. But I must emphasize that even the order of procedure suggested here is not essential, or always desirable.

The actual dream analysis may begin by having the patient relate the dream. Sometimes the patient may prefer to write out his dreams before a consultation. But in each case, we should go over the contents of the dream with the patient, and elicit from him as many explanations as possible on each point. MISUSE OF DREAM INTERPRETATION

The interpretation of dreams is not an end in itself. It is merely one of the means of revealing an individual’s style of life. It should certainly not be used as a social game, a practice which seems to be part of the present psycho-analytic vogue. This charade can be characterized only as bad taste. Nor should this knowledge be used to “see through” people, usually done in an attempt to attain a sense of superiority in disturbed, close human relationships. Dream interpretation, or for that matter, all psychological knowledge, should rightfully be used by a person solely in his capacity as therapist or educator.

AIM TO INCREASE COURAGE

Individual Psychological treatment aims to increase the individual’s courage to meet the problems of life. If we succeed, dreams can be expected to change in the course of treatment. The following dream from a depressed patient just before her cure serves as a good example (also, as a fitting symbol for the closing of this article): “I was sitting all alone on a bench. Suddenly a heavy snowstorm came on. Fortunately I escaped it, since I hurried indoors to my husband. Then I helped him look for a suitable position in the advertisement columns of a newspaper.” The patient was able to interpret the dream for herself. It shows clearly her feeling of reconciliation with her husband. At first, she hated him and complained bitterly of his weakness and lack of enterprise in failing to earn a good living. The meaning of the dream is: “It is better to stay by my husband than to expose myself to danger alone.” Though we may agree with the patient in her view of the circumstances, the

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