Dreams and the 'Either/Or' Fallacy

 

Freud (1913) believed that dreams could show cause and effect in a few ways. Sometimes they show the same thing from different perspectives and other times they will have a short dream first and then a longer dream which may show a cause-and-effect relationship. Dreams can also show cause and effect by changing one image into another.

However, most of the time cause and effect is not shown in dreams, instead it is mixed up with other things in the dream. Freud (1913) believed that dreams cannot show the alternative "eithor/or" but instead they show both possibilities as if they are both possible.

A dream might show the cause of someone's pain as:

1. their resistance to accepting a solution
2. their unfavorable sexual conditions
3. that their pain is not hysterical but organic

The dream would show all of these possibilities and add a fourth solution that comes from the dreamer's wishes (Freud 1913).

When someone tells you about their dream and uses the alternative "either/or," it doesn't mean that the dream has two mutually exclusive possibilities. It means that the dreamer was thinking about both possibilities.

•  Dreams often ignore the rules of logic. They can change things that are opposite, like "No" to "Yes." They can also show things as both themselves and their opposite. For example, a dream might show someone being happy and sad at the same time.
• Dreams also use a technique called "condensation" to show similarity, agreement, or contiguity. This means that they can combine two or more things into one image. For example, a dream might show a person who looks like both their mother and their father.

1. Condensation can help dreams to avoid censorship. Censorship is the process of blocking out thoughts and feelings that are too painful or disturbing to think about. By combining two or more things into one image, dreams can get around censorship and express these thoughts and feelings in a disguised way.

Dreams are often about the dreamers themselves. They can show the dreamer's thoughts, feelings, and experiences. They can also show the dreamer's wishes and desires. By understanding dreams, we can learn more about ourselves and our unconscious minds.

References

Freud, S. (1911). The Interpretation of Dreams (3rd ed.). Hayes Barton Press. https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/L-999-74204

Prologue to a Dream

Dream combinations are made up of elements that are closely connected in the dreamer's thoughts, and to represent causal relationships Freud states that they use two methods (Freud, 1911):

• They can present the subordinate clause as a preliminary dream and then attach the main clause to it as the main dream.
• In this method, the dream first presents a situation that sets the stage for the main event. For example, a dream about being lost in a forest might be followed by a dream about being attacked by a bear. The forest represents the dreamer's feeling of being lost and confused, while the bear represents the dreamer's fear of being harmed (Freud, 1911).
• Dreams can reverse the order of events
• In this method, the dream presents the main event first and then the subordinate event. A dream about getting married might be followed by a dream about meeting the person that you are going to marry. The marriage represents the dreamer's desire for commitment, while the meeting represents the dreamer's first steps toward achieving that goal.

Freud suggests that these are just two of the many ways that dreams can represent causal relationships. If this is true then we gain a deeper understanding of our thoughts and feelings by understanding how dreams work. Freud (1911) gives another example of "such a representation of causality":

Flowery Language

The reported dream is divided into two parts which are a short prologue and a longer more detailed dream composition. The prologue involves the dreamer scolding two maids for taking too long to prepare food and seeing heavy kitchen utensils turned upside down to drain. Then the maids go to fetch water and have to climb into a river that reaches up to the house courtyard.

This division of the dream does not necessarily indicate a causal relationship between the thoughts of the two parts (Freud 1911). There are some possible connections that could be made:

• The dreamer's anger at the maids for taking too long to prepare the food could be related to the dreamer's fear of being left without food.
• The image of the heavy kitchen utensils turned upside down to drain may symbolize the patient's feelings of being overwhelmed or weighted down.
• The maids' journey to fetch water from a river that reaches up to the house could represent the dreamer's struggle to meet their basic needs.

According to Freud (1913), the meaning of the dream can only be determined by considering the dreamer's individual thoughts, feelings, and experiences. The division of the dream into two parts and the use of certain symbols may provide clues to the dreamer's unconscious mind:

• Prologue
  
• anger at being left without food, feeling overwhelmed or weighed down
• Dream composition
• struggle to meet basic needs, unconscious desires for help

References

Freud, S. (1911). The Interpretation of Dreams (3rd ed.). Hayes Barton Press. https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/L-999-74204

Dream Thought Connections - Freud

Dream Thought Connections

Art is better at revealing how things are connected than dreams are. This is no surprise since they are made of different stuff. Painters and sculptors show connections by putting things together in a certain way. In some older paintings, artists would draw labels next to characters to show what they were saying. This could be seen as evidence that paintings cannot show connections as well as words, but does it really?

Dreams present complicated thoughts, but Freud did not believe that these thoughts showed how things are connected in the real world. If the content of dreams is made up of things that happened during the day without revealing the logical connections between these things, then are speeches in dreams just copies of speeches that happened during the day? Freud did not believe that they showed the way in which things are connected in the real world. Dreams do not typically show how dream thoughts are logically connected. Contradictions in dreams often only indirectly reflect contradictions between dream thoughts.

There are a variety of ways that dreams can indicate logical relations between dream thoughts. Some dreams ignore logical structure altogether, while others attempt to represent it as completely as possible.

One way that dreams show logical connections is by combining dream thoughts into a unified situation or event. This can be seen as a way of representing logical connections in the form of simultaneity.

Another way that dreams can show logical connections is by placing two elements close together. This can be seen as a way of indicating a particularly intimate connection between the corresponding dream thoughts.

• Logical relations between dream thoughts do not obtain any particular representation in the dream. This means that dreams do not typically show how dream thoughts are logically connected. For example, if a dream thought contains two contradictory ideas, the dream will not typically show both ideas being expressed. Instead, the dream may only show one of the ideas, or it may show both ideas but in a way that does not make it clear that they are contradictory.
• Contradictions in dreams correspond with contradictions between dream thoughts only indirectly and intermediate fashion. This means that contradictions in dreams are often not direct reflections of contradictions between dream thoughts. For example, a dream may show two events happening at the same time, even though the dream thoughts contain two ideas that are logically contradictory. This is because the dream is trying to represent the logical connection between the two ideas, even though it cannot do so directly.
• Dreams can use symbols or metaphors to represent dream thoughts. This means that dreams can use objects, people, or events that have symbolic meaning to represent the dreamer's thoughts and feelings. For example, a dream may use a snake to represent fear, or it may use a house to represent the dreamer's family.
• Dreams can change the order of events in the dream. This means that dreams can show events that happened in real life in a different order in the dream. For example, a dream may show a person getting married before they meet their spouse. This change in order can be seen as a way of trying to show the logical connection between two dream thoughts, even though the dream cannot do so directly.
• Dreams may or may not show logical connections between dream thoughts. Some dreams ignore logical structure altogether, while others may attempt to represent it as completely as possible. This difference in emphasis may be due to a variety of factors, such as the dreamer's personality, the dream's content, or the dream's setting.
• Dreams can combine different dream thoughts into a single scene or event to show logical connections between them. For example, a dream may combine two dream thoughts that are logically related into a single scene in which both ideas are expressed.
• Dreams can show logical connections between dream thoughts by placing two elements close together in the dream. For example, a dream may place a person and a snake close together to indicate that they are closely related in the dreamer's mind. This can be seen as a way of showing logical connections between dream thoughts in the form of spatial proximity.

References

Freud, S. (1911). The Interpretation of Dreams (3rd ed.). Hayes Barton Press. https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/L-999-74204

 

Activating Your Psychological Demon Slayer

 

The Psychological Significance of Keeping Your Demons at Bay by Turning Them Against Each Other

We all have demons. They are the negative thoughts, emotions, and memories that haunt us. They can keep us up at night, make us feel anxious and depressed, and sabotage our relationships and goals.

But is there a way to keep our demons at bay?

This may sound counterintuitive, but it is actually a very effective way to deal with negative thoughts and emotions. When we focus on the negative, it tends to snowball. One negative thought leads to another, and before we know it, we are completely overwhelmed.

But when we turn our demons against each other, we break the cycle of negativity. We start to see the absurdity of our negative thoughts, and we realize that they are not as powerful as we thought they were.

For example, let's say you are struggling with anxiety. You might have a negative thought like, "I am going to fail this test." This thought can lead to a spiral of anxiety, making you feel more and more stressed and overwhelmed.

But what if you turned that thought against itself? What if you said, "That's ridiculous! I have studied for this test for weeks. I am going to do great."

This simple act of defiance can be very powerful. It can help you see the irrationality of your negative thoughts, and it can give you the strength to overcome your anxiety.

Of course, turning your demons against each other is not always easy. It takes practice and patience. But it is a very effective way to deal with negative thoughts and emotions.

If you are struggling with demons, I encourage you to try this technique. It may just be the key to keeping them at bay.

Here are some additional tips for turning your demons against each other:

• Identify your demons. What are the negative thoughts, emotions, and memories that haunt you?
• 
  Challenge your demons. Ask yourself if your negative thoughts are really true. Are they based on evidence?
• Defy your demons. Stand up to your negative thoughts and emotions. Tell them that they are not going to control you anymore.
• Focus on the positive. When you start to feel overwhelmed by negative thoughts, focus on something positive. Think about a happy memory, or spend time with someone you love.

Remember, you are not alone. Everyone has demons. But you can keep them at bay by turning them against each other.

Do Dreams actually stop our unconscious thoughts or desires from surfacing??

Freud's Theory on the Two Parts of Dreams

Dreams have two parts: the latent dream-content and the manifest dream-content. The latent dream-content is the original content of the dream, before it is transformed into the manifest dream-content. The manifest dream-content is the dream that we actually experience. There are four factors that influence the transformation of the latent dream-content into the manifest dream-content:

• condensation 
•  Condensation occurs when multiple dream thoughts are condensed into a single image or symbol in the dream that we actually experience.                      
•  displacement
• Occurs when the emotional significance of a dream thought is transferred to another dream thought or image in the manifest dream                             
•  figuration
•   The proces
  s of giving concrete form to dream thoughts                           
• secondary revision
• The process of making the manifest dream more logical and coherent. 

Dream interpretation is the process of understanding the latent dream content by identifying the dream thoughts that have been transformed into the manifest dream content,

Dreams have two types of content:

1. dream thoughts
1. The core of the dream is made up of thoughts, memories, and feelings.
2. connecting paths
1. links between the dream thoughts, which can be logical or illogical, and they can also be conscious or unconscious

Dream censorship distorts dreams and is a part of the mind that tries to keep unacceptable thoughts and feelings from becoming conscious. This dream censorship cannot completely erase the dream thoughts or the core of the dream. This can make them difficult to understand. Because of this process, dream interpretation is a valuable tool for understanding the unconscious mind. The following is an example of dream censorship in the process:

Laura has a dream about killing her boss. Dream censorship may distort the dream by making the boss into an animal or someone that Laura does not know. The dream censorship might also make the killing of her boss an accident or a circumstance where the murder is justified, such as in self-defense.

Laura's dream censorship could not prevent the core of the dream, which was killing her boss; however, it was able to distort the core and disguise it to hinder its transformation from the unconscious to the conscious.  

Dreams are often illogical and incoherent because of the part of the mind that tries to censor unacceptable thoughts and feelings.

Freud believed that dream interpretation could explain dreams so that they would make sense by identifying the underlying dream thoughts, which is the original dream before it is affected by dream censorship.

Here is an example of how dream interpretation can restore the coherence of a dream:

Laura dreams of being chased by a monster. The monster represents Laura's fear of her boss. Dream interpretation can help Laura to understand that the dream is really about her fear of her boss and then the dream makes more sense.

Resources:

Freud, S. (1911). The Interpretation of Dreams (3rd ed.). Hayes Barton Press. https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/L-999-74204

 

 

 Week 1 (8/29 - 9/2) ASK

In honor of #SuicidePreventionMonth, @988Lifeline will

be releasing a series of graphics that will list the 5 steps

you can take to help someone in a suicidal crisis. Learn more

about #BeThe1To by visiting bethe1to.com. #SPM22

If you think someone might be considering suicide, take

the first step and #BeThe1To ask. Ask directly, “Are you

thinking about killing yourself?” #SPM22

#BeThe1To

 

5 Things to do immediately if someone is suicidal

1) Ask the question “Are you thinking about suicide?” communicates that you’re open to speaking about suicide in a non-judgmental and supportive way.  Other questions you can ask include, “How do you hurt?” and “How can I help?” Do not ever promise to keep their thoughts of suicide a secret (How the 5 Steps Can Help Someone Who Is Suicidal - #BeThe1To, 2019). 

 

2) BE THERE How – This could mean being physically present for someone, speaking with them on the phone when you can, or any other way that shows support for the person at risk (How the 5 Steps Can Help Someone Who Is Suicidal - #BeThe1To, 2019). 

3) HELP KEEP THEM SAFE

How – First of all, it’s good for everyone to be on the same page. After the “Ask” step, and you’ve determined suicide is indeed being talked about, it’s important to find out a few things to establish immediate safety. Have they already done anything to try to kill themselves before talking with you? Does the person experiencing thoughts of suicide know how they would kill themselves? Do they have a specific, detailed plan? What’s the timing for their plan? What sort of access do they have to their planned method (How the 5 Steps Can Help Someone Who Is Suicidal - #BeThe1To, 2019).

4) HELP THEM CONNECT

How – Helping someone with thoughts of suicide connect with ongoing supports (like the 988 Lifeline) can help them establish a safety net for those moments they find themselves in a crisis. Additional components of a safety net might be connecting them with support and resources in their communities. Explore some of these possible supports with them – are they currently seeing a mental health professional? Have they in the past? Is this an option for them currently? Are there other mental health resources in the community that can effectively help  (How the 5 Steps Can Help Someone Who Is Suicidal - #BeThe1To, 2019).

 

5) FOLLOW UP

How – After your initial contact with a person experiencing thoughts of suicide, and after you’ve connected them with the immediate support systems they need, make sure to follow up with them to see how they’re doing. Leave a message, send a text, or give them a call   (How the 5 Steps Can Help Someone Who Is Suicidal - #BeThe1To, 2019).

 

Reference

 How The 5 Steps Can Help Someone Who is Suicidal - #BeThe1To. (2019). #BeThe1To. https://www.bethe1to.com/bethe1to-steps-evidence/

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