psychoanalytic
    adj 1: of or relating to or incorporating the methods and theory
           of psychiatric treatment originated by Sigmund Freud;
           "Freud's psychoanalytical theories"; "psychoanalytic
           treatment" [syn: psychoanalytical, psychoanalytic]

Psychoanalysis \Psy`cho*a*nal"y*sis\, n.
   1. A method or process of psychotherapeutic analysis and
      treatment pf psychoneuroses, based on the work of Dr.
      Sigmund Freud (1856- 1939) of Vienna. The method rests
      upon the theory that neurosis is characteristically due to
      repression of desires consciously rejected but
      subconsciously persistent; it consists in a close analysis
      of the patient's mental history, effort being made to
      bring unconsciuos and preconscious material to
      consciousness; the methods include analysis of
      transferance and resistance. In some variants, stress is
      laid upon the dream life, and of treatment by means of
      suggestion.
      [Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC]

   2. The theory of human psychology which is the foundation for
      the psychoanalytic therapy, which explores the relation
      between conscious and unconscious mental processes in
      motivating human behavior and causing neuroses.
      [PJC]

   3. An integrated set of theories of human personality
      development, motivation, and behavior based on a body of
      observations. --[Stedman]
      [PJC]

   4. One of several schools of psychotherapy, such as jungian
      psychoanalysis or freudian psychoanalysis. --[Stedman]
      [PJC] -- Psy`cho*an`a*lyt"ic, a.; Psych`o*an"al*ist,
      n., etc.
      [Webster 1913 Suppl.]