Freud argued that frustrations of the libido can cause anxiety that remains throughout one’s lifetime. He believed that the roots of these frustrations were often due to the conflict between the pleasure drive and societal norms. These conflicts often lead to feelings of guilt or shame.
Freud also recognized that conflict arises when unacceptable ideas and emotions are repressed. Anything that is unacceptable can be repressed, whether it is an emotion or an idea. Therefore, any emotion or idea deemed unacceptable is rejected, and so it becomes a part of the unconscious mind. Unacceptable thoughts and feelings often lurk just below the surface, causing us to feel unhappy and uncomfortable. They can lead to anxiety, depression, or panic attacks if they are not dealt with. Sometimes we are afraid to face unpleasant emotions because we do not believe they are acceptable; however, in reality, they are what create the conflict inside ourselves.
