ABSTRACT
The question of character is paradoxical, for it is both at the core of a person’s individuality and yet very often that which is categorizable and thus general about him. The character disorder can cover unconscious psycho-neurotic conflicts, or, at the other end of the spectrum, it can hide psychotic processes. In the latter case the hidden illness lies in the very ego structure itself and shows symptoms like dissociation, depersonalization, regression and omnipotent dependence. Winnicott thinks that all character disorders show some antisocial tendency, but it may be hidden in a reaction-formation, or in a complaining attitude, which then develops a grievance, which will naturally have an antisocial aspect. A special case of character pathology is perversity, and Independent analysts have contributed to its theoretical and practical understanding. Characterologically speaking, agitators and fanatics are found among schizoid individuals, and so are intellectuals, where they live with lofty detachment from the common man.
