ABSTRACT
The regression of a patient is an organized return to early dependence or double dependence. The patient and the setting merge into the original success situation of primary narcissism. The idea of psycho-analysis as an art must gradually give way to a study of environmental adaptation relative to patients’ regressions. Psychotic illness is related to environmental failure at an early stage of the emotional development of the individual. Regression can be of any degree, localized and momentary, or total and involving a patient’s whole life over a phase. The less severe regressions provide fruitful material for research. On recovery from regression the patient, with the self now more fully surrendered to the ego, needs ordinary analysis as designed for the management of the depressive position and of the Oedipus complex in interpersonal relationships.
