"Neurotics complain of their illness, but they make the most of it, and when it comes to talking it away from them they will defend it like a lioness her young"

Sigmund Freud’s observation regarding neurotics reveals a paradoxical relationship between individuals and their psychological suffering. While neurotic individuals frequently express distress about their symptoms, such as anxiety, obsessions, or phobias, these complaints are not necessarily indicative of a desire to relinquish those symptoms. Instead, Freud suggests that individuals with neuroses develop a complex attachment to their symptoms, making them integral to their sense of self and lived experience. The neurotic symptoms can become a source of identity, meaning, or even unconscious benefit, serving functions such as providing excuses, attracting attention, or avoiding difficult life demands.

When Freud compares the defense of symptoms to that of a lioness protecting her young, he emphasizes the intensity and tenacity with which these symptoms are preserved, even in the face of possible relief or treatment. The neurotic’s unconscious mind may perceive any attempt to "talk away" or resolve the symptoms as a threat, comparable to the loss of something precious or necessary for survival. The symptoms often fulfill hidden psychological needs, such as protecting the person from perceived dangers or helping to manage internal conflicts. Because of this, suggestions for therapeutic intervention or even the prospect of recovery can arouse significant resistance.

This observation underscores a crucial aspect of psychoanalytic therapy: understanding the patient’s resistance to change. Rather than viewing neurotic symptoms solely as unwanted maladies, Freud draws attention to the complex, and often unconscious, investments that sufferers may have in their illness. The process of healing, therefore, must involve not just the alleviation of symptoms, but also the careful exploration of their origins and the subconscious reasons for their persistence. Only by recognizing and addressing the underlying psychological attachments can true therapeutic progress be made, rather than merely removing a source of complaint. Freud’s insight reflects his broader view of the mind’s complexity and the subtle ways in which pathology can intertwine with identity and desire.