Freud, Stekel and the Interpretation of Dreams: The Affinities with Existential Analysis

Abstract

As early as 1903 Wilhelm Stekel (1868-1940) was developing a distinctive theory of anxiety in which the fear of death played a role which was absent in early Freudian theory. In 1911 he published his Language of Dreams where he demonstrated the therapeutic use of dreams. Stekel relied heavily on the intuitive interpretation of symbolism in dreams, especially death symbolism on which there are seven chapters. Two dreams used by Stekel in this way are presented. Stekel's approach to dreams is compared with that of the existential therapist, Irvin Yalom, with whom he is found to have a surprising amount in common.