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Evolution and Confusion

Aaron Lazare, MD

Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1971;25(2):131-137.

Abstract
The concept of the hysterical character in psychoanalytic theory is a source of widespread confusion both to general psychiatrists and to psychoanalysts. This communication attempts to clarify the concept by reviewing its evolution. Special attention is paid to the changing theories (and methods) within psychoanalysis itself which have led to the varying observations and formulations. It is felt that the current psychoanalytic understanding of the hysterical character is descriptively rich and clinically valuable. Nevertheless, because of semantic difficulties, confusion persists.

Author Affiliations
Boston

From the Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard University Medical School, Boston.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication Sept 28, 1970.

Read before the Psychiatric Grand Rounds, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Oct 28, 1969.

Reprint requests to Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Fruit St, Boston 02114.

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