Repression and Fear

Originally published in 1989 and reissued here with a substantial new introduction Repression and Fear was a provocative new explanation of neurosis and psychosis. In this work, the author provides evidence that psychopathological theories at the time – most notably psychoanalysis, behaviorism, and medical models – were inadequate as means of explaining neurosis and psychosis. In their place, he proposes a new theory, which he terms psychobizarreness.

According to this theory, based largely on a new concept of repression, bizarre psychiatric symptoms are viewed as coping mechanisms. In sharp contrast to the psychoanalytic view, the author argues that repression is a conscious process without connection to childhood events, and that there should be a distinction made between ‘healthy’ and ‘pathological’ repression. Moreover, the psychobizarreness theory argues that the phenomenon of unawareness, characteristic of abnormal individuals, is more likely a temporary state produced by the conscious mind through self-deception rather than the result of a mysterious unconscious self.

The text also presents an in-depth review of the current research literature on fear, again arguing that currently accepted models are not adequate and suggesting a new conditioning model to explain normal as opposed to bizarre fear. Finally, the author presents a unified therapeutic theory, together with a multidimensional therapeutic strategy, to synthesize the seemingly conflicting findings in this area.