ABSTRACT

Every mental illness involves some degree and some form of regression of the libido to fixation-points. In obsessional neurosis, 'regression of the libido to an antecedent stage of the sadistic-anal organization is the most conspicuous factor and determines the form taken by the symptoms'. Genitality breaks down and regression comes about when the reparative tendencies are disturbed, since the genital is then felt to have proved destructive and dangerous. Regression and defusion are to be regarded as different aspects of the same highly complex phenomenon. Regression may result in symptom-formation or in inhibition, or in both. Anna Freud held that the ego-function of an organ becomes inhibited if the sexual significance of that function, the eroto-genicity of the organ in question, becomes too great. The phenomena of progression and regression provide further evidence of the duality which underlies human life. They have ultimately to be traced to the life and death instincts.