A dimensão social do sofrimento psíquico: psicanálise e sofrimento social

Abstract

During the listening experience in the context of a clinical internship at a public university, we find subjects whose financial condition can be a source of suffering, as well as their work relations and activities, subjects in a situation of unemployment and material helplessness in general. The public university clinic is, therefore, also a clinic of encounters with suffernings arising from social oppressions. Facing this reality, we are provoked by some questions: What is the relation of psychoanalysis with social suffering? Wich are the potencies and the limits of the clinic facing this types of suffering? This undergraduate thesis objective is, by the means of a theorical essay, to investigate the forms of suffering arising from social relations and opressions, thinking the relation of psychoanalysis with this types of suffering, it’s critical dimension, the potencies and limits of it’s clinic. As specific objectives, we aim to: (a) reflect about the social relations, about the way our social life is structured and the suffering arising from the historical and structural aspects of our society; (b) explore some forms of subjectivation typical of capitalist societies and the notion of individuality promoted by neoliberalism; (c) think about the potencies and limits of the clinic guided by psychoanalysis in relation to the suffering arising from social oppression; and (d) analyze possible contributions of psychoanalysis to processes of social transformation. We conclude that psychoanalysis can be an important instrument for investigating the suffering resulting from contemporary forms of social relationships. It’s theory has elements that provide an analysis of some psychic effects of social life, with an opening for the knowledge of the listened subject to emerge, contributing to the constant updating of theory and practice. However, we understand that it is important to recognize the limits of the clinic's transformative action in the face of suffering arising from financial conditions, the exploitation of work and material determinations. In view of this, we consider that psychoanalysis can contribute to movements of social transformation, as it’s vast theory on the human psyche can be useful to think about new forms of political action, since the modes of popular mobilization promoted by Marxist organizations have shown to be insufficient, as well as their conceptions about the psychic and affective dimensions of the subjects.