Member-only story

Our Inner Conflicts: A Constructive Theory of Neurosis

John Steinbeck

·15.8k Followers· Follow

Published in Karen Horney

5 min read

1.3k View Claps

75 Respond

Save

Listen

We all experience inner conflict from time to time. It's a natural part of the human experience. But what happens when these conflicts become so intense that they start to interfere with our lives?

Our Inner Conflicts: A CONSTRUCTIVE THEORY OF NEUROSIS

by Karen Horney

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1098 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	254 pages

Traditional psychoanalysis has often viewed inner conflict as a sign of pathology. According to this view, neurosis is caused by unresolved conflicts from childhood. These conflicts are said to be repressed into the unconscious mind, where they continue to wreak havoc on our lives.

However, a more recent theory of neurosis suggests that our inner conflicts are not necessarily pathological. In fact, they can be a source of growth and creativity. This theory is known as the constructive theory of neurosis.

The constructive theory of neurosis was developed by the psychoanalyst Karen Horney. Horney believed that neurosis is not caused by unresolved conflicts from childhood, but rather by the way we relate to ourselves and others. She argued that we all have a basic need for love and acceptance. However, when this need is not met, we develop neurotic defenses to protect ourselves from feeling unloved and unwanted.

These neurotic defenses can take many forms, such as:

Aggression: We may become aggressive towards others in order to feel powerful and in control.
Withdrawal: We may withdraw from social situations in order to avoid feeling rejected.
Submission: We may become overly submissive to others in order to gain their approval.

While these defenses may provide us with temporary relief from our inner conflicts, they ultimately prevent us from living full and satisfying lives. The constructive theory of neurosis suggests that the key to overcoming neurosis is to become aware of our neurotic defenses and to learn to relate to ourselves and others in a more healthy way.

Benefits of Inner Conflict

While inner conflict can be challenging, it can also be a source of growth and creativity. Here are some of the benefits of inner conflict:

It can help us to identify our values and priorities. When we are faced with a difficult decision, we are forced to examine our values and priorities in order to make a choice. This can help us to become more aware of who we are and what we want out of life.
It can help us to develop new coping mechanisms. When we are faced with a challenge, we are forced to find new ways to cope. This can help us to develop new skills and strategies that we can use to overcome future challenges.
It can help us to grow and change. Inner conflict can be a catalyst for growth and change. When we are challenged, we are forced to grow and change in order to overcome the challenge.

How to Cope with Inner Conflict

If you are struggling with inner conflict, there are a few things you can do to cope:

Identify your triggers. What situations or people tend to trigger your inner conflict? Once you know what your triggers are, you can start to avoid them or develop strategies for dealing with them.
Challenge your negative thoughts. When you find yourself having negative thoughts, challenge them. Ask yourself if there is any evidence to support your thoughts. Are you really as worthless as you think you are? Are you really going to fail?
Practice self-care. When you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed, it is important to practice self-care. This means taking care of your physical and mental health. Get enough sleep, eat healthy foods, and exercise regularly.
Seek professional help. If you are struggling to cope with inner conflict on your own, seek professional help. A therapist can help you to identify the root of your conflict and develop strategies for coping with it.

Inner conflict is a natural part of the human experience. It can be challenging, but it can also be a source of growth and creativity. By understanding the constructive theory of neurosis, we can learn to cope with our inner conflicts in a healthy way and use them to our advantage.

Our Inner Conflicts: A CONSTRUCTIVE THEORY OF NEUROSIS

by Karen Horney

4.7 out of 5