ABSTRACT
Obsessional phenomena are common in children, especially between the ages of eight to twelve. They are usually transient and have been dismissed as being of ‘little significance’ (Slater and Roth 1969). It is known, however, that some obsessional neuroses begin around this age, only to surface clinically in adult life (Black 1974). My contention in this chapter is that childhood obsessions, so far from being trivial, reflect important underlying developmental themes which in turn throw light on their clinical appearance and disappearance.
