Breuer, J
Name: Josef Breuer
Achievements: Helped found psychoanalysis
Born: January 15, 1842; Vienna, Austria
Died: June 20, 1925; Vienna, Austria (Aged 83)
Field & Discipline: Psychoanalysis/Hypnosis/Physiology; Physician/Physiologist
Language: German
Father: Leopold Breuer
Mother: Bertha Semler
Siblings: Adolf
Spouse: Mathilde Altmann
Children: Robert; Johannes; Dora; Margarethe; Bertha
Education: Akademisches Gymnasium, Vienna; University of Vienna
Major Work:
"Studies in Hysteria"
Life & Times:
In 1867, Breuer became assistant to Johann Oppolzer, the leading Austrian specialist in internal medicine and an outstanding clinical teacher. In 1868, he worked on respiratory regulation in the Physiological Institute under the supervision of Ewald Hering, and together they discovered the reflex involved in the sensory control of normal breathing.
After Oppolzer died in 1871 Breuer made a name as a general practitioner.
In 1873, he began investigations into the function of the labyrinth in the ear and discovered the function of the semicircular canals of the inner ear and their relation to the sensation of balance. His account of his results to the Society of Physicians in 1873 came just two weeks after physicist [a pal of] Mach* had reported the same discovery to the Vienna Academy of Sciences. Breuer and Mach later became friends.
In 1880, a young woman suffering from occasional paralysis came to Breuer for help. The diagnosis for such symptoms was usually "general neurosis", or "hysteria". But Breuer discovered that putting the patient into a deep hypnosis and encouraging her to talk about what was troubling her brought about an improvement in her condition. He concluded that reliving a trauma could relieve neurotic symptoms. This became the famous case of "Anna O" (whose real name was Bertha Pappenheim), generally regarded as the starting point of [developed] psychoanalysis*.
At the time, treatment for neurosis was varied. It included changes in diet and climate, administration of sedatives and narcotics, courses in hydrotherapy, electrotherapy and magnetotherapy. Hypnotic methods were also used occasionally, usually in the form developed by [work related to] Mesmer*, but no reputable doctor would employ them. Rare exceptions, such as the British doctor [work related to] Braid*, were hardly known, and their scientific papers were not widely read.
Given the suspicion with which hypnosis was regarded, it has never been satisfactorily explained why Breuer chose to use it for Anna O. It is possible he had heard of developments in France where [influenced by] Charcot* was restoring the scientific reputation of hypnosis, and he may, like [work related to] Freud*, have attended an 1880 hypnosis demonstration in Vienna by Dane Hansen. Breuer may also have been influenced by contemporary experiments done by physiologists of his acquaintance who were using hypnosis in their studies of animal behavior.
In 1882, two years after Anna O. had sought his help, Breuer ended her treatment and wrote a report for Freud. Four years later, Freud set up his own neurological practice., and from that point on, Breuer referred his hysterical patients to Freud and discussed their treatment in detail with him.
In 1892, Breuer and Freud decided to publish their theory of hysteria and its treatment. A preliminary paper was published in 1893 and "Studies in Hysteria" in 1895. In 1896, Breuer's friendship with Freud cooled and they soon became estranged, although Breuer's eldest son, Robert, studied under Freud for a time. For the remainder of his life, Breuer continued with his practice but made no more contributions to psychopathology.
Extra Connections: Eminent surgeon [was family physician to] Billroth* made him his family doctor
Assessment: His significant role in the development of psychoanalysis lay in his use of hypnotism in the case of "Anna O.", and his collaboration with Sigmund Freud in the development of a theory of hysteria
Oneliner: Joseph Breuer, early pioneer in psychiatry
Bibliography:
- Hirschmuller, Albrecht, The Life and Work of Josef Breuer, Physiology and Psychoanalysis, New York University Press, New York and London, 1978.