The Wish to Fall Ill
A Study of Psychoanalysis and Medicine

Karin Stephen (1890?1953) was a British psychoanalyst and psychologist. Originally published in 1933, this book provides a discussion of psychoanalysis aimed at 'those versed in other fields'. It was based upon a series of eight lectures delivered by Stephen to medical students at Cambridge. Although the book was written primarily for doctors, no technical language is used, nor are medical knowledge and experience taken for granted. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in the development of psychoanalysis and Freudian approaches to the field.

Preface Ernest Jones; 1. Origin of the unconscious in disappointment, conflict and repression. The solution of conflict by illness; 2. Obstacles in the way of investigating the unconscious. Use of the psychoanalytic free-association technique; 3. Primitive sexual nature of the unconscious; 4. Infantile pleasure-seeking by the mouth; 5. Excretory pleasure-seeking and creation; 6. Phallic pleasure-seeking. The Oedipus complex and castration fears; 7. Anxiety and guilt; 8. Defence mechanisms. Primitive mental mechanisms. The use of the transference in treatment.