PSYCHODYNAMIC PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR PSYCHONEUROSIS: A QUALITATIVE META-SYNTHESIS OF PATIENT OUTCOMES AND EXPERIENCES

The concept of the psychoneuroses represents a pivotal development in the history of psychiatry and psychoanalysis, marking the transition from somatic to psychological understandings of mental distress. This paper provides a comprehensive qualitative examination of the psychoneuroses, tracing their historical emergence, theoretical foundations, clinical manifestations, and contemporary relevance. Drawing upon historical texts, psychoanalytic literature, and recent qualitative research, the paper argues that despite the diagnostic revolution initiated by DSM-III, the psychoneurotic construct retains significant value for understanding the intricate relationship between unconscious conflict, lived experience, and symptomatic expression. Through detailed analysis of major psychoneurotic subtypes, including hysteria, anxiety states, obsessive-compulsive neurosis, neurasthenia, and hypochondriasis, this paper illuminates the enduring clinical and theoretical significance of the concept. The qualitative approach adopted here prioritizes subjective experience, narrative coherence, and meaning-making processes, offering insights that complement and extend contemporary biopsychosocial frameworks. The paper concludes by considering the implications of psychoneurotic theory for current psychiatric practice and research, particularly regarding the integration of psychodynamic understanding with evidence-based treatment approaches.