Hysteria

Sigmund Freud states in Fragment of an Analysis of a Case of Hysteria “I should without question consider a person hysterical in whom an occasion for sexual excitement elicited feelings that were preponderantly or exclusively un-pleasurable; and I should do so whether or not the person were capable of producing somatic symptoms.” Sigmund Freud is trying to give reason for a girl named Dora to have such feelings of hysteria; however, he does not give an exact definition of hysteria. Sigmund Freud makes his conclusion about hysteria based on the facts that lead up to the girl’s current condition.

The case history about Dora written by Sigmund Freud tells how Dora has gone through an inhumane act done by a friend of her father (Herr K.). As stated in psychoanalysis “This was surely the situation to call up distinct feelings of excitement in a girl of fourteen who had never been approached”, Dora was sure to be confused, to be at a loss. She must have felt violated as Freud continues “But Dora had at that moment a violent feeling of disgust”, she knew there was something wrong in what was going on with Herr K.

Freud, in his works, explains how these acts of “sexual trauma” have caused hysteria. He suggests that a person who has gone through an un-pleasurable sexual act will be scarred by that occurrence and therefore will remain hysterical for some time after the events. This point is proven by the fact that “Dora kept it a secret till the confession during treatment”.

On the other hand, the causation of Dora’s reaction may not be because of the way she was presented by Herr K. but rather because it was her first kiss. Freud writes “He then came back, and, instead of going out by the open door, suddenly clasped the girl to him and pressed a kiss upon her