Freud's psychoanalytic theory, inspired by his colleague Josef Breuer, posited that neuroses had their origins in deeply traumatic experiences

that had occurred in the patient's past. He believed that the original occurrences had been forgotten and hidden from consciousness.

His treatment was to empower his patients to recall the experience and bring it to consciousness, and in doing so, confront it both

intellectually and emotionally. He believed one could then discharge it and rid oneself of the neurotic symptoms. Some of Freud's most

discussed theories included:

Id, ego and superego: These are the three essential parts of the human personality. The id is the primitive, impulsive and irrational

unconscious that operates solely on the outcome of pleasure or pain and is responsible for instincts to sex and aggression. The ego is

the "I" people perceive that evaluates the outside physical and social world and makes plans accordingly. And the superego is the moral

voice and conscience that guides the ego; violating it results in feelings of guilt and anxiety. Freud believed the superego was mostly

formed within the first five years of life based on the moral standards of a person's parents; it continued to be influenced into adolescence

by other role models.

Psychic energy: Freud postulated that the id was the basic source of psychic energy, or the force that drives all mental processes. I

n particular he believed that libido, or sexual urges, was a psychic energy that drives all of human actions; the libido was countered

by thanatos, the death instinct that drives destructive behavior.

Oedipus complex: Between the ages of three and five, Freud suggested that as a normal part of the development process all kids are

sexually attracted to the parent of the opposite sex and in competition with the parent of the same sex. The theory is named after

the Greek legend of Oedipus, who killed his father so he could marry his mother.

Dream analysis: In his book The Interpretation of Dreams, Freud believed that people dreamed for a reason: to cope with problems the

mind is struggling with subconsciously and can't deal with consciously. Dreams were fueled by a person's wishes. Freud believed that by

analyzing our dreams and memories, we can understand them, which can subconsciously influence our current behavior and feelings.