ABSTRACT
This chapter shows different internalizing mechanisms— marked by different forms of self-struggle, defense mechanisms, and management of feelings of love and anger— that resulted in specific symptoms such as depression, and in specific personality formations such as obsessive-compulsiveness and pathological narcissism. It discusses three mostly suffered inwardly in childhood, each one also lashed out at times. Their lives also illustrate processes seen in the whole group of internalizing children and provide a picture of the family experiences that are fertile ground for producing these problems. Three internalizers are Nolan, Ulla and Reina. In adult life Reina is midway between Nolan and Ulla. Nolan and Reina consciously experience their unhappiness. Reina protects herself somewhat from full awareness of her suffering through her professional sublimations. Reina's choice of research is also very interesting for she is trying to learn about human existence and gender-related experiences by studying microscopic pieces of human material.
