ABSTRACT
Karl Abraham clinically proved the existence of specific fixation points for psychotics in the very early stages of libidinal development. But he went a step further, doubtlessly influenced by his experience with psychoses and highly dysfunctional patients; he observed not only the discharge function of the mother, but also her structuring function. This is why he should be considered as the pioneer of object relations theory, much before this psychoanalytic development took its name, even before Sigmund Freud became fully aware of these maternal characteristics. He described that within the oral stage there is a pre-ambivalent period in which the incorporation is not related to the existence of the feeding person and the libido is linked to suckling. He believed that the ambivalence was overcome when the subject was able to enjoy the pleasures of retaining, obtaining, and giving. He addressed what psychiatrists call endogenous or psychotic depression.
