Psychic power and energy. Relation of self-experience and concept formation in Freudian theory

The concept of psychic energy is very important for the development of Sigmund Freud's theory. It is linked with the problem of psychic power. Both terms--"energy" (Energie) and "power" (Kraft)--are studied within the context of Freud's scientific work. There is a fundamental relation of introspection in practice and scientific description in theory. This relation is reconstructed in three ways: analysis of "psychic work" (psychische Arbeit) as an implication of the self-analysis in Freud's "Interpretation of Dreams"; analysis of the psychological techniques of psychotherapy Freud used; and analysis of the metapsychological theory with its concept of "psychich apparatus" (psychischer Apparat). This interpretation stresses the close relationship of Freud's personal experience as a therapist and self-analyst and his scientific theory with its neurophysiological and psychological terminology.