Libido in its common usage means sexual desire, however more technical definitions,
such as found in the work of Carl Jung, are more general, referring to libido as the
free creative, or psychic, energy an individual has to put toward personal
development, or individuation.
Sigmund Freud introduced the term and pointed out that libido is the instinctual
energy or force that can come into conflict with the conventions of civilized
behavior. It is the need to conform to society and control the libido, contained in
what Freud defined as the Id, that leads to tension and disturbance in both society
and the individual. This disturbance Freud labelled neurosis.
Libido is generally considered synonymous with such concepts as élan vital and
psychophysiological energy; related concepts from Eastern philosophy include
Kundalini and Tantra.
Libido can also be classified as the urge to create life. Naturally for humanity the
natural way through which this occurs is through sex. However at a deep subconscious
level, the two can be merged as one, given the reason in evolutionary terms for
sexual attraction and sex drive. Using this term, the antonym of libido is
destrudo.
Other subjects related to libido are: Libido Birth Control, Libido Supplements,
Libido medication, Impotence, Erectile Dysfunction, Women Libido, and Libido
Pill.
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