The Psychodynamic Viewpoint holds the view that some behavioral disorders occur as a result of repressed emotional conflicts and stem from Sigmund Freud’s psychosexual theory of development.
The psychodynamic viewpoint sees mental disorders as being caused by repressed memories and conflicts in the unconscious mind. Years ago, this was a very common explanation for a persons unusual behavior or mental disorder. Today, Sigmund Freud’s views on mental illness are not widely accepted and many of his ideas are seen as being outdated, incorrect or lacking scientific evidence.
The treatment of psychological problems from a psychodynamic perspective largely concentrates on what memories a person has repressed in their subconscious mind, as this is assumed to be responsible for triggering their behavior. As a result, a person is not usually treated with drugs, but rather receives counselling that involves the discussion of any repressed experiences or unresolved conflicts a person may have from their past.
Hypnotherapy may also be considered as part of a persons treatment strategy when referring to the Psychodynamic Viewpoint.