Complexes Archives - Applied Jung

Navigating the Peter Pan Complex

My name is Ryan Adamczyk. I've been living in Charlotte North Carolina for 7 years and work as a mental health therapist. I graduated with my Master's degree in Counseling Psychology from the Adler School of Professional Psychology in April of 2010 and earned in my PhD. in Depth Psychology in June of 2018. For more information about my therapy practice follow this link. Introduction In the story of Peter Pan, we are introduced to a character that remains an adolescent boy...

October 23, 2019

By Ryan AdamczykComplexes, Jungian, Jungian Themes, narcissismindividuation, mental health, physical disability4 Comments

A Bullet in the Chamber: A Jungian Perspective on a Murderous Gun Complex

Oscar Pistorius shot and killed his girlfriend on Valentines Day. He was devastated and cried uncontrollably at his first court appearance and frequently at his bail hearing. His affidavit stated that that he believed that there was a burglar in his bathroom whom he shot, only to realise to his horror that he had shot Reeva Steenkamp. Whether his version of events is true or whether, as the state claims, the killing was in fact intentional, i.e. murder, remains undecided. Opinions...

February 27, 2013

By Anja van KralingenComplexes, Jungian Themesblame, complex, consciousness, ego, Jung, neurosis, relationships, unconscious23 Comments

How to make money and (still) be a nice person

If you are really wealthy, don’t read this blog. :) I was reading an article that James Hillman wrote “A contribution to soul and money”. He says lots of interesting things in it, but what struck me as most interesting is the idea that money = psyche. Money is an Archetype which is translated into psychic energy. This psychic energy is limited, so it can only be used by the ego for either external (conscious) development, i.e. manifesting money or internal (unconscious)...

March 6, 2012

By Anja van KralingenComplexes, Personallycomplex, money, neurosis, unconscious4 Comments

Accepting the Helping Hand.

A little boy was having difficulty lifting a heavy stone. His father came along just then. Noting the boy’s failure, he asked, "Are you using all your strength?" "Yes, I am," the little boy said impatiently. "No, you are not," the father answered. "I am right here just waiting, and you haven’t asked me to help you." Beautiful, isn’t it? And that is the inspiration for my blog today. This idea that we are not alone. That help is all around us and all...

February 20, 2012

By Anja van KralingenComplexes, Personallyblame, help0 Comments

The Mysterious Case of the 2nd Personality: a Psychological Detective Story

One of the most profoundly interesting ideas in depth psychology is the second personality. In this post I will explore this idea of Jung’s, and consider its implications and practical application. In as much as we refer to the ‘second personality’ we must credit Jung with coining this phrase and articulating the idea. However, first, to better understand the dualistic nature of our inner life it will be helpful to consider Freud’s idea of the id and the superego. OUR FIRST SUSPECTS:...

February 7, 2012

By Stephen FarahComplexes, Jungian Themescomplexes, id, superego1 Comment

Where do you draw the line between accommodating others and being abused?

I am not an accommodating person. I draw a line quickly and if you cross it, well that’s it for our relationship. When I was younger, I was just too nice and accommodating and that allowed people around me really take advantage of me. I took a lot of abuse from my friends and peers. My feelings were always sacrificed for another’s happiness or needs. There were many times I felt badly hurt and neglected and ignored. I had to...

January 23, 2012

By Anja van KralingenComplexes, Personallyabuse, accommodating, relationships7 Comments

The Exposition of an Existential Crises

When I was 38, I went to watch The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. I can't tell you how much it upset me. I cried bitterly towards the end of the movie and carried on crying for at least 2 weeks afterwards. It put me in a weird space. I became depressed, but not really, more like a severe melancholy. (I am generally melancholic anyway) At the time, I wasn't sure why the movie affected me so profoundly and I spent...

December 4, 2011

By Anja van KralingenComplexes, PracticallyExistential crises, existential crisis0 Comments

The Danger of Raising Your Children in Fear.

When I was in labour with my second child I was terrified. My firstborn was a ceaser because she was breach and I was determined to have natural birth this time around. My Gyne was really cross about it and tried to bully me, but I was insistent. It was probably the most traumatic and painful experience I have ever lived through. My third child's birth was also natural, but this time I was like Superwoman. I breathed through the pain and...

November 20, 2011

By Anja van KralingenComplexes, Practicallychildren, fear0 Comments

A Guide to The Secret Life of Complexes

Do you ever behave in a manner which leaves you wondering what the hell you were thinking? Something came over you? You were possessed? You are not the master of your own house. You must have had that experience where the wrong thing pops out of your mouth and you are so embarrassed that you wish the earth would open up and swallow you. Or you lose it and scream like a banshee at someone. Or you are confronted with a dilemma...

September 26, 2011

By Anja van KralingenComplexes, Jungian Themescomplexes, transference1 Comment

The Problem with the Payoff

A few weeks ago, I was driving listening to Doctor Eve on Redi's show. I just caught a bit of the show, and I think it was about alcoholism linked to sex addiction. A woman had phoned in to complain about her friend who constantly embarrasses her when they go out on the weekend, because she gets totally pissed and then flirts with strangers and would go with them if the caller did not stop her. The caller said that the...

May 12, 2011

By Anja van KralingenComplexes, Practically0 Comments