Psychologist Anna Freud: biography and photos

Anna Freud, photo and biography of which is presented in this article, is the youngest daughter of Sigmund Freud and his wife Marta. She was born in 1895, on December 3. At that time, the financial situation of the family was difficult, and domestic difficulties aggravated the birth of the sixth child. Martha Freud independently led the household, and also took care of the children. In order to help her, Minna, her sister, moved to Freud's house. She became the second mother for Anna.

The Influence

Sigmund was forced to work very hard. Only during the holidays did he find an opportunity to communicate with his children. For Anna, the highest reward was the recognition of her father. She tried to be better for him.

Study

In 1901, Anna entered a private school. After two years of training there she moved to the folk. Then Anna Freud entered a private lyceum. However, one was not enough for him to continue his studies at the university - he should have graduated from the gymnasium. Anna did not receive higher education.

Parting with Sophie

For the girl, 1911 became critical. Then Sophie, her sister, left her father's house. It was the father's favorite, and many of his visitors immediately fell in love with this girl. Sophie and Anna lived in the same room and were very friendly. When Sophie got married, Anna was already 16 years old. She has already passed the exams at the Lyceum. The girl was tormented by the question of how her own destiny would develop. She did not differ in beauty, she even considered herself a naughty girl with maximalism.

Travel, continuing education and teaching activities

On the advice of Zygmund, she went on a journey in order to drown out spiritual torment with new impressions. 5 months, Anna spent in Italy, and after she returned to her homeland, she continued her education. The final exam she passed in 1914, and the next 5 years she was engaged in teaching work.

Acquaintance with psychoanalysis

Zygmund was satisfied with his daughter's career. He pointed out to the girl in letters only two of her drawbacks: excessive knitting and stooped posture. Anna first heard about psychoanalysis from her father when she was 13 years old. Later, seeing that the daughter was genuinely interested, Zygmund allowed her to attend lectures given to him and even during the admission of patients. In the period from 1918 to 1921, the girl underwent an analysis with her father. This was a violation of psychoanalytic ethics, but Zygmund's authority did not allow his followers to express their disapproval openly.

After the First World War began, the sons of Freud were taken into the army, and the daughters got married. Anna was the only child left with her father. She always avoided the suitors.

First achievements

Since 1918, the girl participated in the International Psychoanalytical Congresses. She became a member of the Psychoanalytic Publishing House (English branch) in 1920. Her interests are connected with dreams in real life and with fantasies. Anna translated into German the book "Dreams in reality" by J. Warendok.

In 1923, Anna opened her own practice. She took up residence in the house where her father was also taking patients. Adults came to Zygmund, and Anna received children. It is her merit in singling out psychoanalysis of childhood as an independent trend in practice. Rethinking her father's ideas, Anna Freud focused all her attention on the child. After all, he does not less, and sometimes needs more help and suffers the same way as an adult.

Difficulties encountered in professional activities

At first, Anna Freud experienced many difficulties in her professional activity. Her biography was not marked with a medical education. Its absence was an obstacle to recognition. Sigmund Freud psychoanalysis related, rather, to psychology, rather than to medicine. However, not everyone considered it so. In addition, most analysts had a medical education. Therefore, Anna's lack of it looked like a significant drawback. No patients were sent to her. The girl had to start with the children of her friends and acquaintances. In addition, there were difficulties in working with young patients. Adults were interested in treatment and willingly paid for it. However, the child was brought to Anna by her parents, and often against his will. The children were often capricious, did not want to talk, they hid under the table. Here, and useful acquired Anna pedagogical experience: the girl was able to arrange the students to themselves. She told entertaining stories to her patients, entertained them with tricks, and if necessary she could also climb under the table in order to talk with a small stubborn.

Help my father

Anna Freud in 1923 unexpectedly learned that Sigmund was suffering from cancer. He went to an operation complicated by heavy bleeding. Anna was told that Zygmund needs help to get home. In order to support her father, she made a dedicated effort. Sigmund Freud largely thanks to Anna managed to live another 16 years. He was given 31 operations. His daughter took care of him, and also took on a large share of his affairs. Anna spoke at international congresses instead of Zygmund, accepted his awards, read out reports.

Relations with D.Berlingham

In Vienna, in 1925, came D. Berlingham-Tiffany. It is the daughter of a rich inventor and manufacturer Tiffany, an admirer of Sigmund Freud. She arrived with her four children, but without her husband (with whom she had a difficult relationship). Anna Freud became the second mother for her children, and also for her nephew - the child Sophie, who died in 1920. She played with them, traveled, went to the theater. D.Berlingham in 1928 moved to the house of Freud and until her death (in 1979) she lived here.

First book

At the end of 1924 she became secretary of the Vienna psychoanalytic institute Anna Freud. Child psychoanalysis is a topic of lectures for teachers, which she read at this institute. The first book of Anna Freud was composed of four lectures. It is called "Introduction to the technique of child psychoanalysis." This book was published in 1927.

Difficult time

The 1930s were not easy for the psychoanalytic movement and for the Freud family. "Psychoanalytical publishing house", which was based on large donations as early as the beginning of the 1920s, in 1931 was practically ruined. He was saved only thanks to the efforts made by Anna Freud.

"Psychology of self and protective mechanisms"

In 1936 the main theoretical work of this researcher was published. Anna Freud ("The Psychology of Me and the Protective Mechanisms") opposed the view that the object of psychoanalysis is exclusively unconscious. They become the "I" - the center of consciousness. Anna Freud's psychoanalysis, thus, is characterized by an innovative approach to the object.

Nazi occupation

Over the Europe at this time, clouds of Nazism thickened. After Hitler came to power, psychoanalysis was banned, and Zygmund's writings were burned. Psychoanalysts, foreseeing the danger, left Austria. In particular, the Jews were afraid of the Nazis. It was hard for the sick and elderly Freud to leave his homeland. In Vienna he was caught by the Nazi occupation. Anna Freud on March 22, 1938, was summoned to the Gestapo for questioning. Afraid of torture, she took poison with her. This day was a terrible test for her. All her later life she was tormented by memories of him. Anna after that long could not return to where she looked into the eyes of death. Only in 1971 she visited with a short visit to Vienna, visited the house-museum, where she once lived herself.

Emigration

Thanks to the help of Maria Bonaparte, the French princess, and also the American ambassadors in France and Austria, Sigmund Freud, his daughter and wife were able to redeem from the Nazis. The family left for Paris on June 4, 1938, and then to England. Here, Freud and Anna lived their remaining lives. Sigmund Freud died in 1939, on September 23. Anna immediately began working on the publication of a collection of his works. In the years 1942-45. It came out in German in German.

The activities of Anna Freud in the post-war period

After the war, Anna sent all her strength to help children who suffered from German bombing. She collected children on dilapidated houses, organized help for them, found means for supporting them from different firms, funds and individuals. Anna Freud in 1939 opened a nursery. Until 1945, more than 80 children of various ages took refuge in them. Anna published the results of studies done on experimental material in the Monthly Reports.

Anne Freud in 1945 turned 50 years old. At this age many retire, but she actively carried her knowledge to the world. Anna participated in congresses, honorary ceremonies, meetings, traveled a lot. Her first trip to the US took place in 1950. She delivered lectures. In London, the daughter of Sigmund Freud worked at the institute: she conducted lectures, colloquiums, seminars, and decided organizational issues.

Celebrities who turned to Anna

She conducted psychoanalysis on her own until 1982. Many celebrities turned to her, including Marilyn Monroe. Anna had a great influence on Hermann Hesse, maintained contact with A. Schweitzer. Another 12 times after 1950, she visited the US with lectures.

Final work, the last years of life

In 1965, A. Freud completed her final work "Norm and pathology in childhood." In 1968 Anna translated it into her native language. Anna Freud for a long time suffered from back pain, lung disease. To this was added in 1976 anemia. She needed constant blood transfusions. Even at the age of 80, Anna did not stop working. However, on March 1, 1982, there was a stroke, after which there was a paralysis complicated by a speech disorder. Nevertheless, while in the hospital, Anna continued to work on a book about family law.

Psychologist Anna Freud, whose works enjoy a well-deserved recognition, died on October 8, 1982. She devoted more than 60 years of scientific work and psychoanalytic practice. During this time Anna prepared numerous articles, lectures and reports, included in the ten-volume collection of her works.