psychanalysis

Psy`cha*nal"y*sis, n. [Psycho-+ analysis.] Defn: A method or process of psychotherapeutic analysis based on the work of Dr. Sigmund Freud (1856- --) of Vienna. The method rests upon the theory that hysteria is characteristically due to repression of desires consciously rejected but subconsciously persistent; it consists in a close analysis of the patient's mental history, stress being laid upon the dream life, and of treatment by means of suggestion. -- Psy*chan`a*lyt"ic (#), a. -- Psy`cha*nal"y*sist (#), n.

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