psychoanalysis

American  

[sahy-koh-uh-nal-uh-sis] / ˌsaɪ koʊ əˈnæl ə sɪs /

noun

1. a systematic structure of theories concerning the relation of conscious and unconscious psychological processes.

2. a technical procedure for investigating unconscious mental processes and for treating psychoneuroses.

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psychoanalysis British  

/ ˌsaɪkəʊˈænəlɪst, ˌsaɪkəʊəˈnælɪsɪs, ˌsaɪkəʊˌænəˈlɪtɪk /

noun

1. a method of studying the mind and treating mental and emotional disorders based on revealing and investigating the role of the unconscious mind

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psychoanalysis Cultural  

1. A method of treating mental illness, originating with Sigmund Freud, in which a psychiatrist (analyst) helps a patient discover and confront the causes of the illness. Many psychiatrists believe that these causes are buried deep in the unconscious of the patient and can be brought to the surface through such techniques as hypnosis and the analysis of dreams. Psychoanalysis emphasizes that mental illness usually originates in repressed sexual desires or traumas in childhood.

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Discover More

Psychoanalysis is sometimes simply called analysis.

Other Word Forms

• psychoanalyst noun
• psychoanalytic adjective
• psychoanalytical adjective
• psychoanalytically adverb

Etymology

Origin of psychoanalysis

From the German word Psychoanalyse, dating back to 1905–10. See psycho-, analysis

Compare meaning

How does psychoanalysis compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• psychoanalysis vs. psychotherapy

Example Sentences

“What do Buddhism and psychoanalysis have in common?”

From Los Angeles Times

She taught me more in 20 seconds — a new way to listen, feel and understand — than I’d learned in 30 years of psychoanalysis and endurance sports.

From Los Angeles Times

When it was A’s turn, they explained that whatever they were seeking from psychoanalysis, they were finding in clowning.

From Los Angeles Times

Others thought the movie — which deals with divorce, loss, poverty, depression, child psychoanalysis, you name it! — was too progressive.

From Salon

Maybe there’s a different section of the paper for his psychoanalysis.

From Los Angeles Times