Sigmund Freud, the Austrian neurologist and founder of psychoanalysis, is widely known for his contributions to the field of psychology. However, many people may not know that he survived a suicide attempt early in his life. In this article, we will explore the circumstances surrounding Freud’s suicide attempt and how he managed to survive. Subsequently, this article explores Freud’s attempted suicide as a impactful turning point for his later understanding of life.
In 1884, Freud was only 28 years old and had just begun his medical career. Back then, he was struggling with financial difficulties and personal issues, including the recent death of his father. During this time, he was also studying the effects of the drug chloral hydrate on the nervous system.
On the evening of September 23, 1884, Freud ingested a lethal dose of chloral hydrate in a suicide attempt. For years, he had been suffering from depression and anxiety and felt overwhelmed by his personal and professional struggles. However, after taking the drug, he quickly realized that he did not want to die and began to fight the effects of the overdose.
Freud’s friend and fellow physician, Joseph Breuer, was called to his bedside and immediately recognized the severity of the situation. Eventually, he began treating Freud with a variety of methods, including hypnosis and electrotherapy, to help him overcome the effects of the overdose.
Despite the severity of his condition, Freud managed to survive the suicide attempt and gradually recovered over the following weeks. Fortunately, he was able to return to work and continued his studies in psychology and neuroscience.
From here on out, Freud‘s suicide attempt had a profound impact on his life and work. He became more aware of the importance of mental health and the effects of psychological distress on physical health. Hence he began to focus more on the study of mental illness and the development of psychoanalysis as a means of understanding and treating mental health issues.
In addition to his own experiences, Freud’s work with patients who suffered from mental illness helped shape his theories on the unconscious mind, repression, and the role of childhood experiences in shaping adult behavior. His ideas have had a lasting impact on the field of psychology and continue to influence our understanding of mental health and well-being today.
In conclusion, Freud’s survival of an attempted suicide was a pivotal moment in his life and career. It helped shape his understanding of mental health and the importance of treating psychological distress. His experiences, along with his work with patients, led to the development of psychoanalysis and a greater understanding of the role of the unconscious mind in shaping human behavior. While Freud’s methods and theories have been debated and criticized over the years, his contributions to the field of psychology remain significant and continue to influence our understanding of mental health and well-being.
Read more on Freud and suicide:
1. “How Sigmund Freud Wanted to Die”. Anecdotes from his doctors reveal that the famed psychoanalyst’s request has echoes in today’s assisted-suicide debate.
https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/09/how-sigmund-freud-wanted-to-die/380322/
2. “The ethics of suicide Digital Archive”. This article explores Freud’s life.
https://ethicsofsuicide.lib.utah.edu/selections/freud/
3. “10 Things You May Not Know About Sigmund Freud”. Check out 10 surprising facts about the father of modern psychoanalysis.
https://www.history.com/news/10-things-you-may-not-know-about-sigmund-freud