Freud's Personality Theory

According to Freud, the conflicting demands of the id, ego and superego create anxiety, "when the ego blocks the pleasurable pursuits of the id".  He also holds the relationship between the id, ego and superego responsible for repression (much repression from early childhood experiences).

In Freud's view, the conflicting demands of the personality structures produce anxiety. For example, when the ego blocks the pleasurable pursuits of the id, inner anxiety is felt. This diffuse, distressed state develops when the ego senses that the id is going to cause harm to the individual. The anxiety alerts the ego to resolve the conflict by means of defense mechanisms.

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