Angst, Depression und die Verleugnung von Abhangigkeit

• Published in: ÖZS. Österreichische Zeitschrift für Soziologie Vol. 37; no. 4; p. 439
• Main Author: Gross, Rainer
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: German
• Published: Heidelberg Springer Nature B.V 01-12-2012
• Subjects: Anxiety; Mental depression; Occupational psychology; Occupational stress
• ISSN: 1011-0070; 1862-2585
• DOI: 10.1007/s11614-012-0066-y

In this text I try to describe the intra-psychic consequences caused by internalisation of external heightened demands in today's working situation. There has been a change from modernity's super-ego-centered subjects to the increased ego-ideal-demands in today's postmodern society of self-control. As a consequence of the rhetorics and ideology of permanent self-improvement, of "positive thinking" there is a denial of any intra-psychic conflict, any dependence. This may lead to self-exploitation, exhaustion and "burnout" as a self-diagnosis. People apply different strategies for coping with this situation: Application of defense mechanism like projection and splitting can only bring short-term relief. Acceptance of intra-psychic conflict, ambivalence and personal weaknesses as a form of "intra-psychic democracy" is a way to long-term improvements and increased tolerance for problems of the self and others.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]