It seems that the world is in an advanced state of collective regression, where repressed aggressive drives—suppressed for years or even decades—are now desperately seeking an outlet. From a psychoanalytic perspective, we might say we are witnessing a massive activation of Thanatos—the death drive, with all that it implies: destruction, annihilation, a return to zero, and a desperate attempt to regain control through violent acts.
When a society becomes increasingly anxious, when fear, insecurity, and distrust in institutions grow, the collective Ego weakens and can no longer mediate between the demands of the Superego (norms, values, laws) and the pressures of the Id (impulsive, emotional, instinctual drives). At that point, what Freud called mass psychology becomes dominant: individuals infect each other emotionally, regressing to more primitive modes of thinking and reacting. Strong leaders are sought out, scapegoats are identified, and immediate solutions are demanded—hallmarks of borderline or even psychotic functioning at the societal level.
Aggressive discharge becomes more important than solving the underlying problem. It’s as if humanity is caught in a collective acting out, with no inner space left for symbolization, reflection, or emotional processing. That’s why reconciliation no longer seems necessary. What feels urgent is to evacuate tension—even at the cost of self-destruction.
In therapy, sometimes we have to create a safe space where anger can be expressed without destroying everything—a form of controlled catharsis that leads to tears, sadness, sometimes even shame. But at the societal level, such spaces are incredibly hard to construct. The media, social networks, and political polarization act as amplifiers, not regulators of collective emotion. Where we should have containment (in Bion’s sense), we find only broken mirrors and endless echoes.
Perhaps the only realistic solution—long-term and symbolic—is to rebuild the networks of meaning, community, and trust. But for that to happen, the collective Ego must first regain the strength to tolerate frustration and ambivalence, and resist collapsing into impulse.
Let’s imagine what a form of “social therapy” might look like, from a psychoanalytic and symbolic perspective—not as a political agenda or direct social program, but as a framework for reflection, to help society avoid self-destruction under the weight of its own drives.
1. Containment and the “Good Enough Mother” Function (Bion / Winnicott)
A society in crisis resembles a child overwhelmed by anxiety. It needs a symbolic “mother” — meaning institutions, leaders, and community spaces — that can absorb that anxiety without returning it in raw, violent form. Unfortunately, many of today’s institutions either freeze in the face of chaos or become reactive themselves.
Social therapy would mean rebuilding those containing functions: ethical journalism, reflective leadership, education that forms strong Egos—not just functional consumers.
2. Space for Symbolization and Story
When there’s no space for story, everything is lived in black and white.
We need narratives that don’t idealize or demonize, but hold paradox, ambivalence, and complexity.
Art, literature, theater, intelligent podcasts — all these are collective spaces for symbolic processing.
Social therapy means restoring the dignity of complex thought in a world that disdains it.
3. Ritual and Controlled Discharge
Just as therapy allows anger to be expressed within a safe frame, societies also need ritualistic, symbolic, cultural forms of emotional release.
Peaceful protest, satire, carnival, dance, artistic activism — all these can channel aggressive impulses in ways a community can bear.
Without ritual, we get violent explosions or collective depression.
4. Rebuilding the Link Between Individual and Community
Many people today no longer have a psychological “place.” They’re either completely isolated or fused with an ideology.
Social therapy means restoring healthy belonging—being seen, but not dissolved.
This involves local associations, small groups, solidarity projects, co-creation networks.
5. Widespread Emotional Education
Without a minimum of emotional literacy, society becomes hostage to its own raw affects.
Social therapy would mean bringing a little therapy into schools, families, and the media—not to turn everyone into a patient, but to help people live more consciously.
This might be a starting sketch for a world with too much flammable material and ever more sparks.
The solution is not to extinguish the fire — but to build spaces where it can burn without destroying everything.
