Progression from oral to oedipal themes: a defense against experiences of object loss

This paper will focus on a patient whose associations appeared to involve triangular, oedipally organized themes, but who also had a severely compromised ego. This apparent discrepancy in development can be understood as a defensive maneuver. The defense protected him from experiencing object loss as he reflected on a deprived childhood, sought assistance in managing current romances, and developed a transference and relationship in the therapeutic situation. Discussion of case material, in light of traditional psychoanalytic perspectives, including those put forth by A. Freud, Winnicott, Zetzel, and Brenner, will address whether an apparent "progression" from a cluster of features associated with one phase to those associated with another can serve as a defense. Although "progression" is perhaps not the best term for this phenomenon, it will serve as a concise description for the sake of this article.