Wilhelm Reich stands out among the scientists whose work has left an indelible mark on psychology. One of the founders of the European school of psychoanalysis, Reich was rightfully considered the best student of Freud. The controversial personality of the brilliant scientist throughout his life riveted the views of the public. And his theoretical views were so unusual that to this day they are criticized.
Wilhelm Reich was not spoiled for life. He spent his childhood in Austria-Hungary. The father of the future psychologist was an extremely domineering man who adhered to pro-German nationalist views and was critical of any manifestation of religiosity. From an early age, Reich, due to his father's prohibitions, was deprived of the opportunity to fully communicate with his peers, most of whom were Jews and Ukrainians. Mother, after violent family troubles, committed suicide, and a few years later his father and brother, who became victims of tuberculosis, were gone.
Features of upbringing left an imprint on the character of Wilhelm. Throughout his life, he lacked warmth, mental softness and flexibility in behavior. As a result, he turned into a person characterized by irascibility, often quarreled with others, not finding a common language with them and not striving to be compliant in relationships.
But Reich's intellect was excellent. No wonder he was recognized as the first of the students of Sigmund Freud. A year after training, Reich opened his own successful medical practice. But personality traits made themselves felt. Reich very quickly quarreled with many colleagues, including the famous teacher. The fact is that Wilhelm was extremely committed to his convictions and remained unshakable in his views, which he considered the only true ones.
The views of the scientist were revolutionary at that time. Reich made an attempt to combine psychoanalysis with Marxism, which caused Freud's displeasure. Needless to say, these ideas were not supported by the adherents of psychoanalysis or adherents of orthodox Marxism. In subsequent years, Reich moved away from the communist worldview, since he did not find an orientation towards human values in it.
Disillusioned with an ideology that prioritizes the social reorganization of society, Wilhelm Reich completely switched to psychoanalysis. He substantiated a new method in psychology, which later became the basis for body-oriented therapy. According to the scientist, a person has two types of "shell" - psychological and bodily, which reflect the defensive reactions of the individual. And Reich very skillfully diagnosed the psychological characteristics and problems of patients, using his method.
The extreme radicalism of views characteristic of Wilhelm Reich made him an undesirable person in those countries that the scientist chose for residence. In the late 1930s, he settled in the United States. Fascinated by his next discovery, the so-called "orgone energy", Reich began to seek confirmation of his findings, constructing devices for making rain and treating cancer. This could not but lead to a conflict with the authorities and the scientific community. As a result, Reich's books were banned, and he himself was put on trial.
At the hearing of his case, Reich, with his usual intemperance, declared that he did not consider the judicial collegium competent in deciding scientific questions. For such disrespect for the organs of justice, the scientist was sentenced to two years in prison, where he died a few months later from heart disease.
But even after Reich's death, his followers and opponents continued to argue about the legitimacy of his scientific approach to explaining the "inexplicable" phenomena of the psyche. Over time, the ban on his works was lifted, but in Russia translations of Reich's books appeared only at the end of the 20th century. The founder of body-oriented therapy is still considered either a crazy science fiction writer or a genius scientist, well ahead of his time.
