Loss of soul

This expression is used by Jung to describe severance of relations with the individual psychic life. Often occurring at midlife, there is a lack of energy, of a sense of purpose, of personal responsibility; it is marked by the preponderance of affect and [abaissement du niveau mental]

. Thomas Moore refers to loss of soul as the "great malady of the twentieth century". Neglect of the soul leads to psychological symptoms such as obsessions, violence, addiction and a loss of meaning to life. Although it is tempting to treat these symptoms through psychotherapy, this does not reach the root cause.