Personalitatea nevrotică a timpului nostru

Karen Horney looks at how neurosis shapes our lives. She shows its role in feelings, choices, and ties with others. She traces patterns of inner strife, fear, and distress. Case studies show the need for love and feelings of guilt. They show the drive to achieve, gain power, and raise one's rank. They also show fear of having to compete. This book deals with psychology and psychoanalysis. It links these patterns to pressures from society and culture.

Horney shows how children may hide anger to keep a parent's love. Claims of love can take the place of real warmth. A child may then obey for fear of losing love. People who shun contests may also seek to escape notice. They may hold back their wishes and follow accepted rules. They may hide signs of wealth or spare time.

Her work with patients shaped her approach to therapy. It deals with the problems they face now. She sought the exact roots of each patient's current fears. She stresses how society shapes each person's growth.

Horney (1885–1952) was a psychiatrist. She helped bring new ideas to psychoanalysis early on. She studied how gender, society, and culture shape who we are. She looked at both healthy and troubled traits. She helped found the Berlin Psychoanalytic Institute. She also taught at psychoanalytic institutes in Chicago and New York.

For this edition, Aureliana Ionescu translated the text from English.