Freud's early clinical work.

Freud became a medical practitioner because it was impossible for him to pursue the desired career of a microscopic researcher. His education and training had not prepared him for the task of being a practicing physician. In his private practice he began treating some very intelligent, chaotic, demanding, volatile and disturbed patients. Anna von Lieben was one of these patients whom Freud treated very intensively for a long period of time. Elise Gomperz was another talented and severely pained early patient of Freud. Over a number of years, Freud was her psychiatrist and provided her with attentive care using a variety of treatment methods that were available to him at that time. Emmy von N.'s condition was also fluctuating and very demanding. The dramatic sense and chronic clinical course of these patients is compatible with the contemporary diagnostic category of Borderline Personality Disorder. Freud provided these patients with long-term supportive care while he attempted to cure them. At the same time, Freud committed himself to the theory of radical cure and downplayed the supportive, draining and difficult clinical work that he was doing.

The case of Elise Gomperz.

In the late 1880s to mid-1890s Freud was involved in the treatment of Elise Gomperz. Theodor Gomperz's published letters provide us with details concerning the treatment as well as her husband's reactions to the treatment. These details enable us to explore the social factors that were involved in Freud's early clinical work.

Atlas personality.

The paper concerns individuals who, as children, were asked to provide comprehensive psychological support for their family of origin. They cared for others before being taken care of themselves. They took on adult responsibilities from a very young age with the result of missing important aspects of their childhood. They became very sensitive and responsive to the needs of their parents and tried desperately to protect and stabilize their chaotic, angry and erratic families. They were anxious, depressed and crushed by the assumption of a role that was clearly beyond their abilities. The Atlas personalities retained their excessive sensitivity and concern for the emotional well-being of others into their adult life. As adults, they were persistently depressed and anxious and unaware of their own needs.