Abstract

BRITO, Pedro Vinicius de Souza  and  RIBEIRO, Marina F. R.. Paradoxical reflections on aging in some of Freud’s texts. Rev. bras. psicanál [online]. 2024, vol.58, n.1, pp.87-101.  Epub Nov 29, 2024. ISSN 0486-641X.  https://doi.org/10.69904/0486-641x.v58n1.07.

Contemporary population longevity has called into question theories that did not consider this stage of life. This is the case of psychoanalysis. From his earliest writings, Freud opposed the psychoanalytic treatment of very elderly people. However, he himself did not stop practicing psychoanalysis, and some of his most important studies took place at this stage of life. Faced with this contradiction, the authors investigate what may have influenced this position, and look at a series of social, physiological and economic issues that marked Freud’s old age. They used his texts to analyze his perception of old age, and understand how he faced the various issues that marked his life during this period. They discuss the idea that, even though Freud did not recommend psychoanalysis for the elderly, contemporary social changes make it possible to defend and recommend psychoanalysis during old age.

Keywords : psychoanalysis; psychotherapy; aging; loss.

        · abstract in Portuguese | Spanish | French     · text in Portuguese     · Portuguese ( pdf )