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Sapiosexuality is a type of sexuality that involves being more attracted by the contents of a person’s mind than by the appearance of their body. To feel sexually attracted to another person, a sapiosexual person must first feel intellectually stimulated. Intelligence is often the first quality a person notices in a potential partner.

The word sapiosexual originated from the Latin root word ‘sapien,’ which means wise, and ‘sexualis,’ which means sexual. Sapiosexual is still a fairly new word, as Merriam-Webster’s first known use of the word was in 2004. According to research, between 1% and 8% of people aged 18 to 35 may be sapiosexuals.

Anyone can identify as sapiosexual, including both heterosexuals and LGBTQIA+ people. This means that people who identify as sapiosexual may be straight, gay, asexual, or another identity.

What It Means to Be Sapiosexual

For people who are sapiosexual, the way another person thinks is a highly appealing quality. It is the intellect that stimulates sexual attraction. Let’s take a look at what it means to be sapiosexual.

It Starts With the Brain

Because attraction is centered on the intellect or how a person’s mind works, people who are sapiosexual do not feel attraction until their mind feels stimulated by a potential partner. There is no lust, liking, wanting, or sexual gratification unless the brain has been stimulated on an intellectual level first.

Anyone Can Be Sapiosexual

Unlike gender-specific restrictions, sapiosexuality has no limitations. You can like men, women, trans people, bisexual people, or any person of any gender or sexual identity. You are free to be attracted to whomever you choose.

Sapiosexual people are attracted to and focus on the inner workings of a person’s mind more so than the other person’s exterior.

Sexuality Becomes Less of an Entity

When sapiosexuals are in search of a partner, they focus more on their potential mate’s intelligence instead of their looks. This means that superficial qualities like body shape, size, or facial features take a backseat.

Criticisms of Sapiosexuality

Sapiosexuality is a relatively new term and is not without some controversy.  Some have argued that it is not a legitimate orientation but a type of attraction.

People who describe themselves as sapiosexual, however, suggest that intelligence is more than just a quality they appreciate in a partner—it’s the primary factor driving their sexual attraction, just as some might be drawn to an attractive body or a beautiful face.

Some critics also note that people who identify as sapiosexual are not subjected to the marginalization and discrimination that people of diverse sexual and gender identities face.

Others have suggested that sapiosexuality is both pretentious and discriminatory. The term has been criticized as being both ableist and Euro-centric. The focus on intelligence implies that people base their attraction on cognitive abilities and devalues those who may be disabled, neurodivergent, or have less access to formal education.

Signs You Might Be Sapiosexual

Let’s take a look at some of the common attributes of sapiosexuality. If you find yourself agreeing with the majority of the following statements, there is a chance you are sapiosexual.

You Prefer Deep Conversations

You might be sapiosexual if there’s nothing better to you than engaging in a complex, stimulating conversation. This often means that you will find yourself attracted to others who can effectively express themselves clearly and listen to you do the same.

You Believe Intelligence Is Sexier Than a Beach Bod

Sapiosexuals value an intelligent mind over a physically attractive body. So, if you’re more interested in what a person’s beliefs are, what they stand for, and you’re excited to learn about their morals, values, interests, then you might be sapiosexual.

Your Ideal First Date Is a Cozy Bookstore

If you prefer quiet dates with no distractions or interruptions so you can engage in a compelling conversation with a potential mate—you’re might be sapiosexual. Likewise, sapiosexual individuals will likely prefer a smaller intimate setting for a first date over a bar or lounge.

Best Places to Meet Sapiosexual People

While it’s not hard to determine if you are sapiosexual, finding like-minded individuals is not always so easy.

For most, clubs, bars, lounges, concerts, and sporting events are key places to meet single people, but if you’re interested in finding people who share your love of deep conversations, knowledge, and learning, keep reading for some location suggestions.

At the Library

There’s no better place to meet an intellectually-stimulating person than at a library. You two can pick some books, find a nice little nook, and get to know one another. And the best part? It’s free!

Online

The internet affords a multitude of opportunities for meeting people. For example, you can try online dating, connecting with new people on social media, or you can try taking online classes (creative writing, cooking, photography, etc.).

Also, there are meet-up groups to do activities with people with similar interests, and there are even forums created specifically for people with certain interests. The possibilities are endless online!

Through a Friend of a Friend

This old-school aspect can still work in your favor. Sapiosexual people usually have a hard time finding compatible matches, but friends can be great resources.

You may have a friend that knows a friend that is the perfect match for you. So don’t count your friends out; having them assist in your love life may be a great idea.

At Your Favorite Restaurant

Have you ever taken yourself out on a date? If you haven’t, here’s why it’s the best thing to do. First of all, there’s no wait, and second of all, people gravitate towards others who are confident enough to take themselves out on a date.

If you go solo to one of your favorite restaurants, you might meet another single person who also loves that restaurant. Then, you can both sit down and talk about why you love it so much. It’s always fun to connect over a shared love of food.

Doing Your Favorite Pasttime

Meeting people while pursuing your passions and favorite leisure-time activities is one of the best ways to meet like-minded people. Whatever makes the dopamine flow generously is where you should go to meet your ideal person.

How Does Sapiosexual Differ From Demisexual?

So how does being sapiosexual differ from being demisexual? Where sapiosexuality is focused on intellectual attraction, demisexuality is about needing to form an emotional bond with someone before feeling sexually or romantically attracted to them. 

A person who is sapiosexual may feel attracted to a person immediately if they feel intellectually stimulated by that person’s thoughts, ideas, or conversation. A person who is demisexual, on the other hand, needs to get to know the person better and form an emotional connection before they start to feel attracted.

How Does Being Sapiosexual Impact Relationships

If you or your partner are sapiosexual, you might notice some of the following effects on how you relate to one another in your relationship:

• You might communicate differently: Because attraction is based on feeling intellectually stimulated, participating in mentally engaging activities will be an important part of your relationship.
• It might pressure your partner: Research has found that people who identify as sapiosexual tend to be most attracted to people with above-average IQ scores. This can put pressure on the other person to live up to your expectations.
• Intellectually stimulating activities help you feel closer: You might bond best by doing things that stimulate your mind. Fun date ideas might involve attending a lecture, having a deep conversation over dinner, or choosing a novel to read together.
• Things may progress more slowly: Because it often takes longer to get to know a person and truly engage with them on an intellectual level, the pace of your relationship may move slower than those who base their attraction on physical features.

Some research shows that 3 in 100 people will experience a psychotic break at some point in their lives. Learn about the causes, signs, and treatment of psychotic breaks to recognize when they occur.

Causes of a Psychotic Break 

Experts don’t fully understand psychosis, but several factors have emerged as the most likely causes of a psychotic break:

• Genetics: If you have a family history of psychosis or conditions linked to psychosis, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, you are more likely to have a psychotic break than others. This does not mean you’ll necessarily develop the condition, however.
• Physical or emotional trauma: A traumatic event can trigger a psychotic break, especially in people who are already genetically predisposed to developing psychotic breaks. 
• Drug abuse: Abusing certain drugs such as amphetamines and alcohol can increase your risk. 
• Brain injuries: After a traumatic brain injury, be on the lookout for early signs of psychosis. 
• Medical conditions: A psychotic break is sometimes a sign of a mental health condition such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Other medical conditions linked to psychosis include depression, schizoaffective disorder, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. 
• Stress: The likelihood of a psychotic break increases if the person has other risk factors for psychosis.

Signs of a Psychotic Break 

A psychotic break can happen suddenly and frighten both the person and the people around them. Some of the most common early symptoms of a psychotic break include: 

• Difficulty concentrating 
• An unexplainable drop in grades or performance at work 
• Neglecting personal hygiene and self-care 
• Self-isolating 
• Experiencing strong emotions 
• Having no emotions 

A psychotic break often produces symptoms that can be classified as hallucinations or delusions. Examples of hallucinations and delusions include: 

• Hearing things that aren’t there 
• Seeing things that no one else can see 
• Believing that you have special powers 
• Believing that external forces are controlling you 

Other symptoms include: 

• Speaking irregularly, this could either be too quickly or too slowly 
• Having severe mood swings 
• Having anxiety 
• Becoming even more isolated 
• Behaving inappropriately 
• Having disordered thoughts 

During a hallucination, a person sees, hears, or otherwise experiences things that aren’t there or that are distorted; Someone with delusions has erroneous or irrational beliefs.

Treatment for a Psychotic Break 

Treatment for a psychotic break typically involves a combination of medications and psychotherapy, depending on the severity of the psychosis and the underlying cause.

Medication 

Several antipsychotic medications have been developed for the treatment of psychosis. Antipsychotics aim to regulate dopamine in your brain. Dopamine plays a prominent role in triggering psychosis. Serotonin can also be involved. Glutamate and the NMDA receptor are also thought to play an important role. 

Antipsychotics could either be first-generation (sometimes called typical) or second-generation (sometimes called atypical). Second-generation antipsychotics include drugs like Haldol (haloperidol), Prolixin (fluphenazine), Stelazine (trifluoperazine), and Loxitane (loxapine). Commonly prescribed atypical antipsychotics include Abilify (aripiprazole), Invega (paliperidone), Zyprexa (olanzapine), Seroquel (quetiapine), and Risperdal (risperidone).

Psychotherapy 

Psychotherapy is often recommended in combination with medication for the treatment of psychosis. The following forms of psychotherapy have proven to be effective in treating a psychotic break:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT is often the first point of call when using therapy to treat several mental health conditions. During CBT, you’ll be taught to understand what’s happening to you during a psychotic break better. You’ll also be equipped with techniques to help you prevent or manage symptoms of a psychotic break, such as reducing mental stress and taking better care of your body and mind. 
• Family therapy: A psychotic break affects not just you but the people around you too. Family therapy is recommended to help your loved ones understand what’s going on with you and how best to help you during a psychotic break. The care and support of your loved ones during and after a psychotic break can help you cope with your condition better. 

How to Help Someone Having a Psychotic Break 

Witnessing someone experience a psychotic break can be frightening. They are likely to do or say things that are out of character and could be hurtful to you. However, your support through and after the episode is crucial.

Although a person experiencing a psychotic break might behave oddly, remember that they are not in control of their behavior and need your support.

A genogram is a visual representation of a family tree that provides important details about the relationships between family members. It can be a helpful tool for understanding the psychological and hereditary factors affecting individuals and families. Genograms utilize symbols to depict characteristics such as gender, relationships, emotions, abuse, diseases, genetic predispositions, and other relevant factors.

How a Genogram Works

The genogram uses different symbols to represent gender, diagnoses, and connections between various family members. A therapist might use a genogram to help their client see transgenerational patterns or make connections about interactions between their relatives.

Clients attending couples therapy might use the genogram to identify how various patterns in their families of origin impact their relationship. An individual might also use a genogram to explore their own relationship patterns or to observe how intergenerational trauma might be affecting them.

History of Genograms

The genogram was initially developed as a therapeutic tool by Murray Bowen, the psychiatrist who created Bowenian Family Therapy. Genograms have been used in both medical and mental health settings to map family history and gain information about a client or patient’s presenting problems and needs.

Original genogram structure relied on heteronormative and cisnormative assumptions about users, such as the assumption that couples consist of one man and one woman. Additionally, genogram symbols included binary transgender individuals but did not offer nonbinary options.

How Genograms Are Constructed

Genograms use specific symbols to represent important information about families and individuals.

Relationships

The genogram has symbols that represent gender, and individuals are marked with the corresponding symbol, with lines drawn to represent the family relationships between them.

For example, a married couple’s symbols are positioned next to each other, with a black line connecting them. If the couple is divorced, the connecting line is red with two lines through it indicating the legal and emotional separation.

Older generations are at the top of the page, with children positioned below parents and lines connecting children to parents to indicate whether the child is biological or adopted.

Medical Information

Each person’s symbol can include marks to represent various diagnoses. These symbols help medical providers identify genetic predispositions to various diseases. Any deceased people on the genogram are marked with an X and their age at the time of their death.

Emotional Relationships

In addition to family relationships and medical histories, the genogram often includes lines representing the emotional relationships between family members, including positive, loving connections as well as tensions, estrangement, and physical, emotional, or sexual abuse.

Genograms Can Evolve Over Time

Although a therapist might craft a genogram as part of an intake session to gather background information about their client, genograms often need to be updated over the course of treatment. A client might not feel ready to share certain information at the start of therapy.

They might remember relevant details about relationships that they disclose later on. A client may also not identify behavior as abusive until they have processed the memory in therapy, which would alter the relationship lines in their genogram.

How Are Genograms Used?

The genogram is used in many types of family therapy. For example:

• In family systems therapy, a therapist views the family as a whole unit, and the genogram maps this unit to provide insight into how the various members relate to and affect each other.
• In structural family therapy, the therapist can use a genogram to observe the various structural relationships among family members and identify dysfunctional patterns.
• Individual therapists practicing psychodynamic therapy might use a genogram to gain insight into the client’s emotional patterns by seeing how these patterns have played out across generations and within the client’s family.

Genograms are not limited to a specific therapeutic orientation, however; many different types of therapists use them, and they can help conceptualize a case from multiple clinical perspectives.

Benefits of Using Genograms

Genograms can have a number of helpful benefits during the therapy process:

• Help the individual and the therapist conceptualize relationships and spot patterns
• Indicate events and situations that are difficult to put into words
• Allow professionals to better understand the situation and determine how to approach it
• Offer insight into complex dynamics that occur within families
• Provide clues into why certain events happened
• Aid spotting repetitive patterns of behavior that occur in families

Genograms also help individuals better understand how their upbringing and family dynamics affect their current situation and experiences.

Tips for Using a Genogram

The purpose of the genogram is to gather information and insight about a client’s family history and the relationships and emotional bonds between these family members.

As you and your therapist create your genogram, you might become aware of patterns that you had not previously noticed. You might re-conceptualize things in different ways.

This process can be emotional, so it can help to have strong self-care practices around your therapy sessions to manage these emotions. You might also benefit from mindfulness practices to ensure that you are addressing these emotions rather than ignoring or pushing them down.

When to Use a Genogram

A genogram is a great tool for anyone who wants to further explore the emotional connections and health history of their family. If you are in therapy, the genogram can help your therapist understand your relationships to various family members and see the larger picture of your family unit.

If you are seeking a deeper understanding of your past and how your family relationships might be impacting your emotions and other relationships in your life, a genogram might be a helpful tool for you on this journey.

A “k-hole” is how it feels when you take a high enough dose of ketamine that both your environmental awareness and bodily control become very impaired. When someone has “fallen into a k-hole” (the slang term for this ketamine effect), they are temporarily unable to interact with others or the world around them.

Ketamine is a dissociative drug, which means that it can make users feel detached from reality and themselves. It was originally used as an anesthetic but has also been found effective for treating major depression and bipolar disorder—under medical supervision.

Learn what a k-hole is and the symptoms people experience in this state. This article also discusses other ketamine effects, how it can be used to treat certain mental health conditions, signs of a ketamine overdose, and how to get help.

What Is a K-Hole?

A k-hole is when high doses of ketamine lead to intense feelings of dissociation. This can cause feelings of being disconnected from your body, or unable to control your own body. It also sometimes affects the ability to speak and move around easily.

As the consciousness of the real world diminishes, alterations in the senses during a k-hole may lead to illusions and hallucinations. While usually temporary, some people have shown ongoing dissociative and psychotic symptoms with long-term ketamine misuse.

K-Hole Symptoms

A k-hole can be frightening and induce strong feelings of powerlessness. This may be especially intense if your ability to speak is affected. When in a k-hole, it can be frustrating if someone is trying to communicate with you and you can’t respond.

To others, someone in a k-hole may simply look immobile and intoxicated, although their eyes may move around. This is an effect known as nystagmus. Other k-hole symptoms include marked confusion, unexplainable experiences, floating sensations, and mind/body dissociation.

Ketamine Effects

One of the risks of falling into a k-hole is difficulty coming out of the dissociative state. Some people continue to feel disconnected from the world around them (and from their life), and may even develop ongoing symptoms of psychosis.

Ketamine can have effects on the brain, heart, and more. Short-term side effects of taking ketamine can include:

• Dilated pupils
• Elevated blood pressure
• Increased heart rate
• Increased salivation and tear secretions
• Involuntary rapid eye movement
• Muscle stiffening
• Nausea

Long-term side effects of taking ketamine frequently and/or at high doses include:

• Bladder problems
• Cardiac issues
• Cognitive effects
• Seizures

How Does Ketamine Work?

While researchers are still learning more about how ketamine works, some of its effects are believed to stem from blocking glutamate receptors in the brain. Glutamate is one of the most abundant neurotransmitters found in the body that helps regulate important parts of the nervous system. 

Overstimulation of the glutamate pathways in the brain may contribute to the onset of depression. Because of this, ketamine has attracted attention as a possible treatment for the condition.

Why People Take Ketamine

Like other substances, some people use ketamine as a way to cope with distress or as a way to self-treat feelings of depression. Others use ketamine recreationally at dance parties and raves.

Your doctor can evaluate your symptoms and recommend treatments that will work best for your needs.

Ketamine and Depression

A review of several studies found that ketamine, at the proper dose, is a fast-acting antidepressant, often reaching maximum efficacy at 24 hours. This can appeal to people with depressive symptoms, especially when many antidepressants take weeks to months before any changes are noticed.

Research has shown that people who use ketamine more heavily tend to be more depressed than occasional users. It’s not clear whether the depression is caused by ketamine use and its impacts on people’s lives, or if people who are already depressed are more vulnerable to ketamine misuse as a form of self-medication.

If you have been trying to escape negative feelings by taking non-prescription drugs like ketamine, consider talking to your healthcare provider about your treatment options. Ketamine may be one option, but there may be something better suited for you.

Ketamine Addiction

People tend to develop a tolerance to ketamine quickly, which means it requires more of the substance to produce the same effects. Ketamine can be safe when used as prescribed in clinical settings, but misuse may lead to psychological dependence. 

Symptoms of ketamine addiction can include:

• Changes in appetite
• Chronic bladder problems
• Drug cravings
• Fatigue
• Feelings of anxiety
• Hallucinations
• Low mood
• Nightmares
• Problems with concentration and memory

People who have a psychological dependence or addiction to ketamine may also find it difficult to function normally in their daily life. It can interfere with important daily tasks including school, work, social relationships, and family life.

Signs of Ketamine Overdose

Taking too much ketamine can cause an overdose. Signs of a ketamine overdose include dangerously slow breathing and loss of consciousness.

Other symptoms of a ketamine overdose can include:

• Anxiety
• Chest pain
• Elevated blood pressure
• Hallucinations
• Loss of consciousness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Paralysis
• Rapid or irregular heart rate
• Seizures

If an overdose is suspected, get immediate medical attention.

How to Get Help

There are many safe and effective ways of treating depression besides ketamine. If you have been through significant trauma, such as physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, or if you are struggling with feelings of guilt or emptiness, there are various therapies that can help you.

A mental health professional can help find the best treatment options for you. This might include psychotherapy, medications, or both. These treatments can help you feel better without having to experience a k-hole or other negative ketamine effects. This can be a very uncomfortable experience for people who don’t like feeling a ‘loss of control.’

If you are experiencing symptoms of ketamine addiction, talk to your doctor about your treatment options. Treatment options often involve therapy and support groups. Types of therapy that may be helpful include cognitive behavioral therapy, group therapy, or motivational enhancement therapy.

There are no FDA-approved medications to treat ketamine addiction. However, your doctor may prescribe medications to treat symptoms of other conditions you are also experiencing, such as anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder. 

Zoloft (sertraline) is an antidepressant used to treat depression and anxiety and one of the most prescribed psychiatric drugs in the U.S. Some of its common side effects include fatigue, nausea, sleep issues, and sexual problems. While severe side effects are less common, they can occur in some individuals.

Knowing what to expect and finding ways to cope can help you better manage these side effects. Read on to learn more about the most common side effects of Zoloft and ways to reduce them, as well as some of Zoloft’s less common but potentially more severe side effects that require medical attention.

Common Zoloft Side Effects

As with all medications, Zoloft may cause certain unwanted side effects. The adverse effects experienced most frequently when taking Zoloft include:

• Decreased appetite
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Fatigue
• Gastrointestinal issues (nausea, diarrhea, upset stomach)
• Increased sweating
• Insomnia
• Sexual issues, including loss of libido and inability to ejaculate or orgasm
• Tremors
• Weight gain

Nausea, diarrhea, and insomnia are the most common Zoloft side effects. Others are less common but may also be distressing. Let’s take a closer look at some of these effects and ways to help deal with them.

Nausea

Nausea is the most common side effect of Zoloft, affecting around one in four people who take sertraline. While it occurs most frequently, this side effect also typically goes away over time. 

Nausea is often the greatest when you first begin taking this medication or if your physician increases your dose. To cope with Zoloft-related nausea, you may find it helpful to take the medication with food. You can also try nausea relief remedies such as drinking ginger tea. 

Trouble Sleeping

Around one in five people experience insomnia or trouble sleeping as a side effect of Zoloft. However, some strategies can help people manage this side effect, such as taking the medication in the morning. 

If you do find that you have difficulty falling or staying asleep while taking Zoloft, practicing good sleep habits can also be helpful. Go to sleep at the same time each night and limit your caffeine intake during the day, especially in the afternoon and evenings.

Sexual Side Effects

Sexual side effects of sertraline include a loss of desire or sex drive and difficulties related to arousal and orgasm. People can sometimes minimize these symptoms by taking Zoloft immediately after sex or adjusting treatment with their physician’s advice.

Weight Gain

Another potential side effect of Zoloft is weight gain. A long-term study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) in 2018 found that for up to six years after starting treatment, people taking antidepressants such as Zoloft were 21% more likely to experience at least a 5% weight gain than those not taking the drugs. Participants were also 29% more likely to move up a weight category—from normal to overweight or overweight to obese—than those not on antidepressants.

While experts are still trying to figure out the link, some theories exist. For one, SSRIs can trigger changes in your metabolism, increasing appetite and causing the body to burn off calories less efficiently. Also, many people lose their appetite and lose weight when they’re depressed, so weight gain may just be a result of them feeling better when they’re on the drug.

Less Common Zoloft Side Effects

While less common, there are some serious side effects associated with Zoloft use. For example, in some cases, Zoloft may trigger or exacerbate psychiatric symptoms.

Call your physician if you experience any new or worsening psychiatric symptoms, including:

Seek immediate medical assistance if you experience any of the following:

• Black or bloody stools
• Chest pain
• Fainting
• Fast or irregular heartbeat
• Fever over 100^o F
• Seizure
• Severe or persistent headache
• Skin reactions
• Suicidal thoughts

Zoloft Side Effects in Children and Adolescents

When prescribed in children or adolescents, Zoloft can cause a slightly different range of side effects, some of which are less common in adults. Advise your pediatrician if your child experiences any of the following:

• Abnormal heartbeat
• Bladder control issues
• Bleeding issues, such as throwing up blood or blood in urine or stools
• Major weight changes
• Memory issues or feeling confused
• Muscle twitching, stiffness, or tremors
• Seizures
• Swollen, blistered, or peeling skin
• Trouble with balance

Serotonin Syndrome

Zoloft belongs to a class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It works by preventing the reabsorption of serotonin (the “feel good” neurotransmitter) so more is available in the system.

Because Zoloft affects serotonin levels in the brain, it also has the potential to cause serotonin syndrome. Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening condition in which serotonin levels become too high. Its symptoms include:

• Agitation
• Confusion
• Diarrhea
• Irregular or rapid heartbeat
• Loss of consciousness
• Muscle twitching or rigidity
• Seizures
• Shivering
• Sweating

This condition is more likely to occur if you take Zoloft with another medication that affects serotonin levels, such as a different antidepressant or a supplement such as St. John’s wort. Some other psychiatric medications, painkillers, antibiotics, supplements, and drugs such as amphetamines, cocaine, and LSD can also increase serotonin.

Coping With Zoloft Side Effects

Side effects from Zoloft tend to be manageable and often go away on their own as your body adjusts to your medication. It typically takes several weeks for an antidepressant to begin working, so it is important to give it this time.

The type and severity of Zoloft side effects can vary from person to person. Most symptoms tend to be minimal and generally improve over time. Common side effects often last one to two weeks until you get used to your medication.

Talk to your physician about your symptoms if you are concerned about side effects. They can suggest ways to cope or make medication changes if needed.

If you find you are unable to cope with the side effects, call your healthcare provider immediately. There may be strategies they can offer (including a dose adjustment or adjunctive therapies) to help you better adjust to the prescribed treatment.

Not only might you undermine the goals of treatment, but you may also experience a condition known as antidepressant discontinuation syndrome (ADS), which can manifest with symptoms of sertraline withdrawal (including nausea, dizziness, irritability, and abnormal sensations). ADS can occur as early as six weeks after starting therapy.

Instead, it’s often best to wean off Zoloft. This involves taking smaller and smaller doses over time until you eventually stop taking this medication altogether.

Neo-Freudian psychologists were thinkers who agreed with many of the fundamental tenets of Freud’s psychoanalytic theory but changed and adapted the approach to incorporate their own beliefs, ideas, and opinions. Psychologist Sigmund Freud proposed many ideas that were highly controversial, but he also attracted a number of followers.

Many of these thinkers agreed with Freud’s concept of the unconscious mind and the importance of early childhood. There were, however, a number of points that other scholars disagreed with or directly rejected. Because of this, these individuals went on to propose their own unique theories of personality and cognition.

Neo-Freudian Disagreements

There are a few different reasons why these neo-Freudian thinkers disagreed with Freud. For example, Erik Erikson believed that Freud was incorrect to think that personality was shaped almost entirely by childhood events. Other issues that motivated neo-Freudian thinkers included:

• Freud’s emphasis on sexual urges as a primary motivator
• Freud’s lack of emphasis on social and cultural influences on behavior and personality
• Freud’s negative view of human nature

Many neo-Freudians felt that Freud’s theories focus too heavily on psychopathology, sex, and childhood experiences. Instead, many chose to focus their theories on more positive aspects of human nature and the social influences that contribute to personality and behavior.

Major Neo-Freudian Thinkers

There were a number of neo-Freudian thinkers who broke with the Freudian psychoanalytic tradition to develop their own psychodynamic theories. Some of these individuals were initially part of Freud’s inner circle, including Carl Jung and Alfred Adler.

Carl Jung and Analytical Psychology

Carl Jung and Freud once had a close friendship, but Jung broke away to form his own ideas. Freud once viewed Jung as his protege, but their disagreements eventually led to the breakdown of their friendship and professional relationship.

Jung referred to his theory of personality as analytical psychology and introduced the concept of the collective unconscious. He described this as a universal structure shared by all members of the same species, containing all the instincts and archetypes that influence human behavior.

Like many other neo-Freudians, Jung also focused less on sex than Freud did in his work.

Alfred Adler and Individual Psychology

Alfred Adler was one of the early members of Freud’s psychoanalytic discussion group that met each week in Freud’s home. He played an essential role in establishing psychoanalysis but eventually broke away from Freud’s ideas.

Adler believed that Freud’s theories focused too heavily on sex as the primary motivator for human behavior.

His approach, known as individual psychology, was centered on the drive that all people have to compensate for their feelings of inferiority. The inferiority complex, he suggested, was a person’s feelings and doubts that they do not measure up to other people or to society’s expectations.

Erik Erikson and Psychosocial Development

While Freud believed that personality was mostly set in stone during early childhood, Erikson felt that development continued throughout life. He also believed that not all conflicts were unconscious. He thought many were conscious and resulted from the developmental process itself.

His eight-stage theory of psychosocial development concentrates on a series of developmental conflicts that occur throughout the lifespan, from birth until death. At each stage, people face a crisis that must be resolved to develop certain psychological strengths.

Karen Horney and Feminine Psychology

Karen Horney was one of the first women trained in psychoanalysis, and she was also one of the first to criticize Freud’s depictions of women as inferior to men. Horney objected to Freud’s portrayal of women as suffering from “penis envy.”

Instead, she suggested that men experience “womb envy” because they are unable to bear children. Her theory focuses on how behavior was influenced by a number of different neurotic needs.

Contributions and Criticisms of the Neo-Freudians

The neo-Freudians transformed and expanded some of Freud’s original psychoanalytic ideas. While many of these thinkers supported some of the basic tenets of psychoanalysis, such as the important impact of childhood events and the influence of the unconscious.

However, many of these thinkers disagreed with Freud’s emphasis on sex, his negative view of human nature, and his emphasis on psychopathology. Instead, many of the neo-Freudian thinkers believed that social and cultural influences significantly shaped human behavior and personality.

Many took a highly philosophical approach and lacked empirical, scientific support. Jung’s theories, for example, were primarily rooted in his observations of dreams, mythology, and legends. 

Impact of the Neo-Freudians

The work and theories of the neo-Freudian thinkers significantly impacted the field of psychology. Erikson’s work, for example, influenced the field of developmental psychology with its emphasis on how social and cultural factors impact human development throughout the entire lifespan.

Other neo-Freudians, including Karen Horney, helped inspire the person-centered therapy of Carl Rogers. In this non-directive form of therapy, individuals take an active role in the therapy process.

Adler and the other neo-Freudians’ also influenced the work of psychologist Abraham Maslow, who developed an influential hierarchy of needs to explain human motivation.