“We must never neglect the patient’s own use of his symptoms.”
- February 7, 1870 – May 28, 1937
- Austrian
- Psychotherapist, Medical Doctor, Founder of Individual Psychology
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Quote
“We must never neglect the patient’s own use of his symptoms.”
Explanation
This quote highlights a foundational concept in Alfred Adler’s psychology: symptoms—whether emotional or physical—often serve a purpose or function for the individual, even if that purpose is unconscious. Rather than seeing symptoms purely as signs of disease or dysfunction, Adler insists on examining how the patient uses those symptoms to navigate life. This might include avoiding responsibility, eliciting sympathy, or maintaining a certain social role. In this view, symptoms are not just something that happens to a person, but something a person may employ to cope with internal conflicts or perceived limitations.
This approach reflects Adler’s break from Freudian theory, which focused heavily on hidden drives and early trauma. Instead, Adler introduced the idea of teleology in psychology—that behavior, including neurotic behavior, is directed toward goals, even if those goals are maladaptive. A person might, for example, develop chronic anxiety not just due to past trauma, but to avoid facing certain life tasks, such as work or intimacy. Understanding the purpose behind the symptom offers deeper insight into how to help the patient change.
In modern therapeutic practice, Adler’s insight resonates with concepts in cognitive-behavioral therapy and psychosomatic medicine, where symptoms are explored not only in terms of their origin but their meaning and function in a person’s life. For instance, a patient with chronic pain might unconsciously use the symptom to avoid feared social situations. By addressing not just the symptom but its psychological utility, therapy can lead to more lasting and meaningful healing.
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