[Stress and panic. Psychoanalytic aspects].

Abstract

In 1956, Selye described the reactions of the human body when confronted to an aggression. The psychoanalytic point of view was much anterior to Selye's researches and works, provided a wider perspective for a better understanding of the different ways a patient would react when facing a "stressing event". Freud brought out the concept of the "psychic trauma" whose origin might be due to a precocious process of sexual seduction. It was also noted that its source could be found in the fantasmatic activity of the patient. Other signs of the psychic trauma have been observed as the effect of an absence or of a lack of excitement. Finally, in some circumstances, the psychical trauma may contribute to build a positive structure for the "EGO" because of the changes it implies and allows.