Author Description

In this 1902 work, Jung presents a case study of a female prisoner experiencing hysterical stupor, offering insights into the understanding of hysteria and its presentation under the conditions of incarceration. This is one of his earliest clinical case studies while working at the Bürghölzli psychiatric clinic in Zurich. This study reflects his methodological precision and the seeds of his evolving ideas about the unconscious, the somatic manifestations of psychic conflict, and the need for a holistic approach to mental health.One of the central insights of this study is Jung’s recognition of the symbolic nature of the prisoner’s symptoms. He observes that the stupor mirrors a retreat into a psychological “prison,” reflecting the individual’s unconscious alignment with his physical imprisonment. This metaphorical dimension of the symptoms underscores Jung’s early appreciation of the symbolic expressions of the unconscious, a theme that would later become central to his work on dreams and archetypes. This modern translation of Jung's case study originally titled in German "Ein Fall von hysterischem Stupor bei einer Untersuchungsgefangenen" contains an Afterword by the Translator, a philosophic index of Jung's terminology and a timeline of his life and works. This updated edition provides a fresh, accessible translation of Carl Jung's early scientific writings, originally intended for an academic audience. The translation is accompanied by a thought-provoking afterword, which explores the philosophical foundations, historical context, and lasting impact of Jung's ideas, from his early clinical work under Freud to his later metaphysical philosophy such as Aion and Synchronicity, situating it within the broader framework of Jung's intellectual and clinical development.