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Sigmund Freud's Psychodynamic Theories

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Sigmund Freud was an Austrian psychodynamic theorist. Freud studied the unconscious mind and believed that how humans behave, their emotions and feelings all originate from the unconscious mind. He believed that the personality consisted of three parts: the id, ego and superego.
• The id is the impulsive part of the personality which makes “I want” demands (Thompson & Meggit, 2004)
• As we grow the ego develops which operates according to the reality principle, trying to balance the demands of the unconscious with what is possible (Thompson & Meggit, 2004)
• The superego emerges between the ages of 4 to 6. It relies on the morality principle acting as a censor and conscience by telling what is right and wrong. (Thompson & Meggit, 2004)

Freud proposed a “stage theory”. He believed that an individual must pass through one stage to reach the next stage of development and thought that each stage could have a negative outcome and an individual could become stuck or fixated in a stage (O 'Brien, 2013).
Freud’s five stages of psychosexual development are:
• Oral (0-2 years)
• Anal (2-3 years)
• Phallic (3-6 years)
• Latent (6-11 years)
• Genital (11+ years)

He also studied a number of defence mechanisms.

“Defence mechanisms are mental processes which are automatically triggered when anxiety occurs” …show more content…

A flu can worsen the symptoms of asthma. It would also be advised that Imelda get her medication checked regularly to ensure it is working and is been taken properly by either her doctor or asthma nurse. It would also be advised that her home be free from irritants such as carpets and rugs. Carpets and rugs harbour dust mites and pet hair which are common triggers of asthma. It is also important that her psychological needs are met i.e. she feels safe and supported within in her family. She is given the option of receiving outside help if

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