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Neurotic disturbances in work. (Karen Horney; Mar. 1, 1950) Neurotic disturbances have a profound effect on the ability to work. These disturbances may effect the attitude toward the work actually done, as in overrating or underrating it, or they may make the conditions under which work can be done far more rigid and constricted than is usual. They can effect the ability to start, or to finish work. There may be underrating or overrating of the extent to which internal difficulties are a disturbing factor. They result in varying abilities to plan, to take risks, to take help or to delegate to others. Wide differences will exist in individual awareness of there being difficulties, and also in the amount of suffering that occurs.
In the aggressive-expansive individual, there will be a feeling of being superior, a complete identification with the idealized image; the appeal of life will be a desire for mastery. His desire will be to overcome every obstacle, i.e., to do the difficult task immediately, and the impossible a little later. Such individuals regard their work as superior, and feel that anyone who disagrees is jealous, or is attacking because of hostility. They cannot allow doubts to arise on this score, so must ward off criticism. They can't give credit to others, and no one's achievements can be praised in their presence. They must attack any job, and are sure they can do it. There is no illness they cannot diagnose and no paper they cannot write. There is a general overrating of their capacities and of the quality of their own work. They remain oblivious to any disturbances in regard to work.
The aggressive-narcissistic type, in contrast, can be the most productive of all the agressive individuals. He is, however, swayed by his own imagination, and may scatter his talents by having too many irons in the fire. If he has any failure, he feels it is because he has too many gifts, and he will say he envies duller people. Or he may start, but drop, too many things