The individual recognizes that the object of affection no longer exists. They undergo "reality-testing," which demands that all libido (emotional energy) be withdrawn from that object.
The most distinct feature is a "lowering of self-regard." The ego itself becomes "poor and empty." On Freud's "Mourning and Melancholia"
Mourning is complete when the person successfully detaches their energy from the lost object and redirects it toward new ones. 2. Melancholia: The Pathological Response The individual recognizes that the object of affection
Freud introduces the concept of In melancholia, instead of letting the object go, the person internalizes it. They "identify" their ego with the lost object. Consequently, any anger or frustration they felt toward the person who left them is redirected toward themselves. 4. Summary of Differences Melancholia Consciousness Knows what was lost. Loss is often unconscious. Self-Esteem Generally stable. Significant self-loathing. Duration Expected to pass with time. Can be chronic/pathological. Energy Liberated for new objects. Withdrawn into the ego. Conclusion Consequently, any anger or frustration they felt toward
The melancholic suffers from intense self-criticism and guilt. Freud argues these insults are actually directed at the lost object but have been turned inward. 3. Key Mechanism: Identification
"Mourning and Melancholia" is a foundational text in psychoanalysis because it shifted the focus from external behavior to internal ego structures. It suggests that depression is often "interrupted grief"—an inability to let go that results in the self-destruction of the ego.
Overview