Anna Freud, whose photo and biography is presented in this article, is the youngest daughter of Sigmund Freud and his wife Martha. She was born in 1895, December 3. At that time, the financial situation of the family was difficult, and the birth of a sixth child exacerbated domestic difficulties. Martha Freud houseworked independently, and also took care of the children. In order to help her, Minna, her sister, moved to the house of Freud. She became the second mother for Anna.
Father's 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 award 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 national. Then Anna Freud entered a private lyceum. However, it alone was not enough to prolong his studies at the university - he had to graduate from high school. Anna never received a higher education.
Parting with Sophie
The year 1911 was critical for the girl. Then Sophie, her sister, left her father's house. This was her 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 exams at the Lyceum. The girl was tormented by the question of how her own fate would turn out. She was not distinguished by beauty, even considered herself with the maximalism peculiar to youth as an ugly girl.
Travel, continuing education and teaching
On the advice of Sigmund, she went to travel in order to drown out the mental torment with new impressions. Anna spent 5 months in Italy, and after returning to her homeland, she continued her education. She passed the final exam in 1914, and the next 5 years she was engaged in teacher work.
Acquaintance with Psychoanalysis
Sigmund was satisfied with his daughter's career. He pointed out to the girl in letters only two of her shortcomings - excessive passion for knitting and stooped posture. Anna first heard about psychoanalysis from her father when she was 13 years old. Later, seeing that her daughter was genuinely interested, Sigmund allowed her to attend his lectures and even while receiving patients. In the period from 1918 to 1921, the girl underwent an analysis with her father. This was a violation of psychoanalytic ethics, but Sigmund's authority did not allow his followers to express their disapproval openly.
After the outbreak of World War I, Freud's sons were taken into the army, and their daughters got married. Anna is the only child left with her father. She always eschewed grooms.
First achievements
Since 1918, the girl took part in the International Psychoanalytic Congresses. She became a member of the Psychoanalytic Publishing House (English department) in 1920. Her interests are connected with waking dreams and fantasies. Anna translated the book "Waking Dreams" by J. Warendock into German.
In 1923, Anna opened her own practice. She was housed in a house where her father also received patients. Adults came to Sigmund, and Anna accepted children. It belongs to her the merit of highlighting childhood psychoanalysis as an independent direction in practice. Rethinking the ideas of her father, Anna Freud focused all her attention on the child. After all, he is no less, and sometimes even more in need of help and suffers as well as an adult.
Difficulties encountered in professional activities
At first, Anna Freud experienced many difficulties in her professional activities. Her biography was not marked by a medical education. His absence was an obstacle to recognition. Sigmund Freud attributed psychoanalysis to psychology rather than medicine. However, not everyone thought 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 acquaintances and friends. In addition, difficulties with working with young patients were revealed. Adults were interested in treatment and willingly paid for it. However, the parents brought the child to Anna, and often against his will. Children often acted up, did not want to talk, hid under the table. Here the pedagogical experience acquired by Anna came in handy: the girl was able to win the students to herself. She told her patients entertaining stories, entertained them with tricks, and if necessary, she could climb under the table in order to talk with the little stubborn woman.
Help father
Anna Freud in 1923 unexpectedly found out that Sigmund had cancer. He went on an operation complicated by severe bleeding. Anna was told that Sigmund needed help getting home. In order to support her father, she made a dedicated effort. Sigmund Freud, thanks in large part to Anna, managed to live another 16 years. He underwent 31 operations. His daughter looked after him, and also took over a large share of his affairs. Anna spoke at international congresses instead of Sigmund, accepted his awards, read out reports.
Relationship with D. Burlingam
D. Burlingam-Tiffany arrived in Vienna in 1925. This is the daughter of a wealthy inventor and manufacturer Tiffany, an admirer of Sigmund Freud. She arrived with her four children, but without a husband (she had a difficult relationship with him). Anna Freud became the second mother for her children, as well as for her nephew - the child Sophie, who died in 1920. She played with them, traveled, went to the theater. D. Burlingam moved to Freud’s house in 1928 and lived here until his death (in 1979).
First book
At the end of 1924, Anna Freud became secretary of the Vienna Psychoanalytic Institute. Child psychoanalysis is the topic of lectures for teachers that she gave 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. The Psychoanalytic Publishing House, which was based on large donations back in the early 1920s, turned out to be practically ruined in 1931. He was saved only thanks to the efforts made by Anna Freud.
"Psychology of I and defense mechanisms"
In 1936, the main theoretical work of this researcher was published. Anna Freud (Psychology of Self and Defense Mechanisms) opposed the view that the object of psychoanalysis is exclusively unconscious. It becomes "I" - the center of consciousness. The psychoanalysis of Anna Freud is thus characterized by an innovative approach to the object.
Nazi occupation
Clouds of Nazism were gathering over Europe at this time. After Hitler came to power, psychoanalysis was banned, and Sigmund's works were burned. Psychoanalysts, foreseeing danger, left Austria. Jews were especially feared by the Nazis. It was difficult for the sick and elderly Freud to leave their homeland. In Vienna, he was caught by the Nazi occupation. Anna Freud was summoned to the Gestapo for interrogation on March 22, 1938. Fearing torture, she took poison with her. This day was a terrible test for her. All her future life she was tormented by memories of him. Anna after this for a long time could not return to where she looked into the eyes of death. Only in 1971 she visited Vienna on a short visit, visited the house-museum, where she once lived herself.
Emigration
Thanks to the help of Maria Bonaparte, the French princess, as well as the American ambassadors to France and Austria, Sigmund Freud, his daughter and wife were redeemed from the Nazis. The family left for Paris on June 4, 1938, and then to England. Here Freud and Anna lived the rest of their lives. Sigmund Freud died in 1939, September 23. Anna immediately began to work on the publication of a collection of his works. In 1942-45 it came out in Germany in German.
The Activities of Anna Freud in the Post-War Time
After the war, Anna sent all her strength to help children affected by the German bombing. She gathered children from dilapidated houses, organized assistance for them, and found funds from various companies, foundations, and individuals to support them. Anna Freud in 1939 opened a day nursery. Until 1945, more than 80 children of various ages found shelter in them. Anna published the results of studies made on experimental material in the "Monthly Reports".
Anne Freud turned 50 years old in 1945. At this age, many retire, but she actively brought her knowledge to the world. Anna participated in congresses, honorary ceremonies, meetings, traveled a lot. Her first trip to the United States took place in 1950. She gave lectures. In London, the daughter of Sigmund Freud worked at the institute: she gave lectures, colloquiums, seminars, and solved 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 United States with lectures.
The 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 anemia in 1976. She needed a constant blood transfusion. Even at the age of 80, Anna did not stop working. However, on March 1, 1982, a stroke occurred, after which paralysis occurred, complicated by a speech disorder. However, while in the hospital, Anna continued to work on a book on family law.
The psychologist Anna Freud, whose works are well-deserved recognition, died on October 8, 1982. She devoted more than 60 years to scientific work and psychoanalytic practice. During this time, Anna has prepared many articles, lectures and reports that are included in the ten-volume collection of her works.