Revision for sexual problems assignment

RUNNING HEAD: SEXUAL PROBLEMS 1

6

SEXUAL PROBLEMS 5

Sexual Problems

Jason Sanders

Introduction

For the purposes of this paper I have chosen the case of Barbara and Charlie. This is a very interesting sexual case study, and, in this paper, I will be analyzing how Freuds theory of hysteria is applicable in this case. I will also explain how modern ethical standards guide professional behavior and how they relate to the issues in this particular case study.

Freud’s Theory on Rape

Sigmund Freud believed that the sexual action of rape was responsible for causing hysteria or what we now refer to as PTSD. From Charcot, Freud borrows the notion of the "trigger" or the "provoking agent" that unleashes the hysterical symptoms. The theory here is that the event that stimulates the symptoms is not itself the cause, but merely a reference to a deeper cause (Gray). Freud’s early research on this topic has not been largely recognized since the idea of unconscious affecting mental behavior fell out of popularity in psychiatry (The Conversation, 2017). Freud believed that there were many different conditions in which women suffer later in life that couldn’t be recognized through traditional medical exams. He concluded that these symptoms came from unconscious mental forces affecting behavior. Freud called these conditions “hysteria”. The term “hysteria” is still widely recognized as “conversions disorder”. Freud believed that since patients failed to confront serious abusive memories that these thoughts could then be converted into physical symptoms. His findings were found to be material through many of his patients he researched including the Baroness Lieben who was treated by using hypnosis and talk therapy (Breger,2009). It took many years for Freud’s theory to be seriously acknowledged but it is now widely recognized. The neurologist Richard Kanaan in BBC Radio 4’s All In The Mind states that Freud still “looms quite large in our repertoire of explanations”. In fact, it would be a very small repertoire if you excluded Freud. Kanaan explains that new studies show that it’s not the neurological hardware” that is damaged, so it must be the “software”, our psychological response to the meaning of trauma, which leads to conversion disorder (The Conversation, 2017).

These findings are clear evidence that Freud’s was way ahead of his time in the way that he developed his theories on hysteria and psychoanalysis. These early findings by Freuds show us that victims of rape can be tormented with severe mental scars which can lead to physical damage.

How Freuds Theory applies to this case study

Freuds theory directly applies to this case study because Charlie has sex with Barbara even though she isn’t ready and therefore she wakes up the next morning feeling badly. Another reason that Freuds theory applies in this case is because Freud stated that there must be one of two conditions present for an event to lead to hysteria. First, he believed that the symptom of hysteria must fit the cause and secondly, he believed that the traumatic force of an event must be powerful enough to act as the cause of hysteria (Gray). Freud study of a woman named Dora led him to believe that hysterical symptoms are developed from sexual problems or psychological trauma (Woods). In this situation according to Freuds theory of hysteria Barbara could potentially suffer from hysteria in the future due to suffering from the condition of traumatic force from the sexual encounter with Charlie. These thoughts could follow her and even cause her to have mental issues which could lead to physical issues if she doesn’t seek out assistance through a therapist or psychologist. The chances of suffering from even more mental trauma could come if she decides to break of the relationship with Charlie and she can’t get past this instance in the future. This could cause Barbara to have even more issues in the next relationship since she might quite naturally be hesitant to sexual activities due to the fear of this same situation happening again. In this situation Barbara needs to seriously consider if she wants to continue her relationship with Charlie or if she wants to break it off as this could be the way that Charlie is used to having sex and this could become a very unhealthy relationship as Barbara wouldn’t have much control anymore during her sexual encounters with Charlie. If she decides to stay with Charlie, she needs to make sure that he understands that even though he has apologized to her that his actions are abnormal and that they can’t happen again out of respect to her. On the other hand, if she decides to break off her relationship with Charlie, she needs to let go of this situation so that it doesn’t negatively impact her mental state anymore. If the thoughts of this incident continue to bother her then she should seek out a good therapist to help her move past these memories.

How Ethical Standards apply to sexual abuse and rape

In this day and age when rape and sexual abuse are becoming more and more prevalent it is very important for college students to understand the boundaries of their partners. As we can see in this case Charlie was ready to have sex with Barbara when she wasn’t yet ready. Even though Barbara didn’t elect to report Charlie in this case we have seen may instances in the modern era where cases like this have resulted in men going to prison for rape. There also have been many cases in which individuals have gone to prison for being falsely accused for rape. One example of this was the story of Brian Banks a former professional football player who went to prison for being falsely accused of being rape. There are many different ethical obligations that we should follow in order to help prevent rape and sexual abuse. The first and most important thing that everyone should do when they aware of a situation that involves rape is to report the action. There should also be extensive research done on our college campuses in order to determine best practices in preventing rape and sexual abuse in the future. Research has the potential to change a community (Fontes, 2004). Besides research there are other ways in which sexual and abuse can be prevented. These include communication to a friend or loved one if you feel that your partner might be potentially putting you at risk for sexual abuse, informing family of your location through your smart phone, learning martial arts and avoiding taking public transportation alone. Ethical standards state that just because an individual doesn’t refuse or repeatedly verbalize that they don’t want sex doesn’t mean that they haven’t been raped. This directly falls in line with the situation between Barbara and Charlie due to Barbara not vocalize how she wasn’t ready to have sex. According to an article from Psychology today written by Brogaard rape and sexual assault can take place without any force or threat (Brogaard,2018). He also explains in this article that when viewing situations of rape and assault in an ethical sense that two individuals participating in intercourse or sexual activities must understand what it actually means to be consensual. He also talks about the differences between sexual consent and sexual deceit. Sexual deceit is also unethical since an individual can withhold information that could potentially harm their partner. In the situation between Barbara and Charlie we see more of a case of Charlie crossing a line with Barbara and this case could be brought to the legal system as rape, but it might be challenging as Charlie could state that Barbara agreed to have sex with him since Barbara didn’t fight him while he was penetrating her. Charlie also violated Barbara’s boundaries in the relationship by continuing to touch her and penetrate her even after she told him to stop.

Conclusion

In conclusion I believe that if the steps that I have detailed in this paper are followed I believe that many sexual assault and rape cases can be prevented and stopped. It is everyone’s responsibility to be proactive and report suspicious public activity the local authorities in order to keep women in our communities safe.

References

Breger, Louis (2009) A dream of undying fame: How Freud betrayed his mentor and invented psychoanalysis

Retrieved from:

Fontes, Lisa (2004) Ethics in Violence Against Women Research: The Sensitive, the Dangerous, and the Overlooked

Retrieved from: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.444.2992&rep=rep1&type=pdf

Gray R. "Freud and the Literary Imagination"

Retrieved from: http://courses.washington.edu/freudlit/Hysteria.Notes.html

The Conversation (2017) Why Freud was right about hysteria

Retrieved from: https://theconversation.com/why-freud-was-right-about-hysteria-86497

Woods, Tania FROM FEMALE SEXUALITY AND HYSTERIA TO FEMININE PSYCHOLOGY: THE GENDER OF INSANITY IN LITERATURE

Retrieved from: http://www.nyu.edu/classes/keefer/EvergreenEnergy/woodst.pdf