Analysis of a Personality with Mental Issues Using Jung's and Adler's Theories

Introduction

Mental illness is among the most rapidly growing psychological disorders worldwide today. People can be diagnosed with a mental illness due to various conditions, which may include social, cultural, and environmental situations. This essay will discuss my brother, who passed away several years ago due to mental health-related issues. I will attempt to analyze his life situation using some of the personality theories of Adler and Jung and explore the treatment options that could have potentially helped him. To begin, I will provide a summary of my brother’s life, starting from his childhood, to offer a clear understanding of the topic.

Early Life and Family Background

I grew up in a large family of ten in Eritrea. My oldest brother, Efrem, was sent to a Catholic school to study when he was five years old. The school was located outside the city where my parents lived, which meant he couldn't come home and spend time with our family whenever he wanted. He had to wait until the college closed for summer break, which happened twice a year. When Efrem was around 15, he returned home to live with my parents because he could not handle the life he had at the college. According to Adler's theory, my brother Efrem experienced an inferiority complex during his childhood, meaning he developed a sense of inferiority that was wholly or partly unconscious (Inferiority complex, 2018, para. 1). Being the oldest brother and separated from our family, Efrem felt unloved and not favored, especially compared to his younger siblings, who stayed with our parents. He was often in competition with them and felt they were treated more fairly in the family. This dissatisfaction affected how he perceived his role within our family.

Adler's Theory of Personality

According to Adler, a child's personality can be impacted based on the birth order within the family. The oldest child is prone to perfectionism, a need for affirmation, and tends to become intellectual, conscientious, and dominant in social settings (Reyes-Baybay, 2018). Adler also suggests that a child loses parental attention and compensates throughout life by working to regain it. Efrem tried to win our family's heart, take responsibility for his siblings, and address what happened during his childhood.

Jung's Theory of Personality

Per Jung's theory, the persona, or the image one represents to the world, is distinct from the shadow, which comprises hidden anxieties and repressed thoughts. Efrem's personal unconscious was filled with his own memories and ideas, which tormented him. He felt inferior after disobeying our father by returning home from college. Consequently, he became easily stressed, ultra-sensitive, and shy, limiting his social interactions and friendships. Each person's lifestyle develops based on factors affecting them during childhood, and later in life, they express the feelings and actions developed during that period.

The Impact of Inferiority Complex

People with an inferiority complex feel a constant need to prove themselves better than others to boost their self-esteem. Efrem often criticized the hardships he faced at the Catholic school and believed he would have been a different person if he had been raised with his siblings and family. He tried hard to demonstrate his capabilities by joining various voluntary clubs. Eventually, he was admitted to university but suffered from mental illness in his second year of studying archaeology. My family lacked awareness of psychological problems, initially perceiving mental health issues as a curse rather than a disease. Consequently, they kept him at home without seeking medical treatment. Efrem's condition worsened, forcing them to take him to the hospital. He had to drop his studies but eventually completed them after treatment. Unfortunately, my family failed to provide the necessary attention and support after his discharge, leading to Efrem's tragic suicide, which devastated our family.

Therapeutic Interventions

Based on Adler’s and Jung’s theories, my brother could have benefited from therapy, potentially saving his life. A trained psychotherapist could have helped him overcome feelings of loneliness and isolation, reinforcing self-esteem, positive thinking, and social interaction. This experience taught me the importance of communication, illness awareness, and caring for those needing support. Effective communication involves exchanging ideas, thoughts, feelings, and social interactions (Kozier et al., 2017, pp. 385-386). Family members or close individuals play a crucial role in supporting patients with mental health issues, helping them overcome their challenges through verbal communication and positive body language, ensuring they feel cared for and loved.

Conclusion

In conclusion, my personal experience and the theories of Adler and Jung provided a deeper understanding of my brother's situation. The concepts of persona and archetypes, along with the influence of birth order on personality traits, underscore the complexity of individual development. Efrem's story highlights the critical need for awareness, empathy, and appropriate intervention in addressing mental health issues.

References

• Inferiority complex. (2018). Retrieved from [URL]
• Kozier, B., Erb, G., Berman, A., & Snyder, S. (2017). Fundamentals of Nursing. Pearson.
• Reyes-Baybay, A. (2018). Birth order and personality development. Journal of Psychology, 45(3), 123-134.