Fixation refers to getting stuck or arrested at a particular stage of psychosexual development. According to Sigmund Freud’s theory of psychosexual development, humans go through five stages – oral, anal, phallic, latency, and genital. Fixation occurs when an individual does not complete a stage successfully and remains “fixed” at that stage. This can lead to psychological problems in adulthood.
What are the psychosexual stages?
Freud believed that personality develops through a series of stages focused on erogenous zones. The five psychosexual stages are:
- Oral stage (birth to 1 year) – pleasure is focused on the mouth.
- Anal stage (1 to 3 years) – pleasure is focused on bowel and bladder control.
- Phallic stage (3 to 6 years) – pleasure is focused on the genitals.
- Latency stage (6 to puberty) – focus shifts away from sexual pleasure.
- Genital stage (puberty onwards) – mature sexual interests develop.
According to Freud, if issues or conflicts arise at any stage and are not resolved, the individual can become stuck or fixated at that stage. The person’s personality then develops in line with behaviors associated with the fixation.
What causes fixation?
Freud suggested fixation is caused by excessive stimulation, deprivation, or trauma during a psychosexual stage. Causes include:
- Oral fixation – Over-gratification of feeding or oral needs in infancy.
- Anal fixation – Over-emphasis on toilet training or punishment for accidents.
- Phallic fixation – Trauma or issues around sexual awareness in early childhood.
- Genital fixation – Sexual trauma or deprivation during adolescence.
Fixation can also be caused by anxiety during psychosexual development. The child may regress to an earlier stage they found comforting.
What are the symptoms of fixation?
Symptoms of fixation reflect the behaviors and traits associated with the psychosexual stage where the person is stuck. Common symptoms include:
- Oral fixation – Smoking, overeating, nail-biting, fingernail-biting.
- Anal fixation – Obsession with organization, cleanliness, controlling money and resources.
- Phallic fixation – Promiscuity, provocative behavior, risky sexual practices.
- Latency fixation – Avoidance of intimate relationships.
People with fixation may also have personality traits like dependency, passivity or aggressiveness that reflect fixation at a particular psychosexual stage.
Fixation at the oral stage
Fixation at the oral stage occurs when needs around feeding are over-indulged or deprived. Symptoms include:
- Smoking, overeating, drinking alcohol excessively.
- Biting nails, chewing on pens or other objects.
- Being verbally aggressive like using insults.
- Having a sarcastic, argumentative communication style.
- Having dependent personality traits.
Adults with oral fixation may have issues around nurturing, comfort, and empathy. They may seek oral stimulation through activities like smoking or overeating to deal with anxiety or stress.
Famous examples
Some famous people speculated to have oral fixation include:
- Former US President Bill Clinton – known for overeating.
- Pop artist Andy Warhol – was obsessed with Campbell’s Soup.
- Comedian Lenny Bruce – famously arrested for using obscenities.
Fixation at the anal stage
Anal fixation stems from conflicts over toilet training. Symptoms include:
- Obsessive cleanliness, tidiness and organization.
- Perfectionism and obsessive details.
- Hoarding money and possessions.
- Stubbornness and withholding affection.
- Hostility disguised as jokes or sarcasm.
Those with anal fixation may be rigid about rules and procedures. They control their environment to reduce anxiety and feel security.
Famous examples
Some famous anal fixated individuals include:
- Comedian Jerry Seinfeld – known for OCD tendencies and cleanliness.
- Artist Andy Warhol – obsessed with organizing items.
- Businessman Howard Hughes – eccentric millionaire with OCD.
Fixation at the phallic stage
Fixation at the phallic stage relates to unresolved Oedipal and Electra complexes. Symptoms include:
- Promiscuity, provocative sexual behavior.
- Difficulty maintaining long-term relationships.
- High sex drive and desire for attention.
- In men, fear of castration and performance anxiety.
- In women, penis envy.
Phallic fixation involves an obsession with sexual conquests. This masks anxiety about sexual or aggressive urges stemming from the phallic stage.
Famous examples
Some speculated cases of phallic fixation are:
- Musician Madonna – known for constantly re-inventing her sexual persona.
- Rocker Mick Jagger – famous womanizer in the 1960s and 70s.
- Actor Warren Beatty – Hollywood lothario with many sexual conquests.
Genital fixation
Genital fixation occurs when mature psychosexual development is disrupted in adolescence. Symptoms include:
- Avoidance of intimate relationships.
- Difficulty expressing affection and intimacy.
- Disinterest in sex or distorted sexual practices.
- Poor body image or dysmorphia.
Those with genital fixation have issues with developing normalized adult sexual interests and relationships. This may stem from trauma or developmental issues in adolescence.
Famous examples
Celebrities who never married and avoided intimacy, potentially indicating genital fixation, include:
- Actor Leonardo DiCaprio
- Oprah Winfrey
- Comedian Jerry Seinfeld
- Actor Al Pacino
Fixation vs regression
Fixation differs from regression:
- Fixation – Getting stuck at a psychosexual stage when maturing.
- Regression – Temporarily going back to an earlier stage due to stress.
Regression is a temporary defense mechanism when dealing with anxiety. Fixation represents a permanent developmental arrest at a particular stage.
Can fixation be treated?
Freud proposed analysis and bringing repressed emotions to consciousness as treatment for fixations. Other options include:
- Psychoanalysis – Uncovers root of fixation through analysis of unconscious.
- Psychotherapy – Builds ego strength and adaptive coping strategies.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy – Changes unhealthy thoughts and behaviors.
- Hypnotherapy – Accesses subconscious to resolve issues.
Treatment focuses on identifying the source of fixation and working through developmental delays to progress to the next psychosexual stage.
Criticisms of fixation theory
While fixation remains a concept in psychoanalysis, critics argue:
- Development is more fluid than rigid psychosexual stages.
- Little evidence fixations cause adult personality issues.
- Behaviors viewed as symptoms may be unrelated to childhood.
- Fixations may reflect cultural or social factors vs psychosexual issues.
Some argue fixation theory overemphasizes early childhood experiences in shaping personality. However, it remains influential in psychoanalysis.
Conclusion
In summary, fixation refers to getting stuck at a psychosexual stage of development. Common fixations include oral, anal, phallic and genital. Freud proposed fixations are caused by deprivation or overstimulation in childhood development. Symptoms involve personality traits and behaviors related to the psychosexual stage. While controversial, fixation theory continues to influence psychoanalysis. Treatment approaches aim to uncover the root causes and work through developmental delays.