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EVER SINCE Freud (3) wrote that the castration complex should be a term reserved for the occasion when the idea of (narcissistic) deprivation comes to be associated with the loss of the male organ, castration anxiety has been thought of as occurring at four or five years of age (2), between the third and the sixth years (1), (4). A case which closely follows the classical pattern of castration anxiety and clearly shows the phobic defenses against it, but in which the time of the onset is remarkably early, is reported here as evidence that castration anxiety may occur much earlier than commonly believed.
Cyril was the son of highly intelligent, professional parents. His father had undergone intense analytically oriented psychotherapy. His mother had been in psychotherapy with me prior to conception, during pregnancy, and after the birth of the child. Treatment continued during the emotional disturbance described below.
The father was rather strict and demanding of the child. The mother was warm and giving. She was inclined to pick him up at his least suggestion, but when frustrated by the child she had the tendency to lose her temper and to scold him with long tirades. She had a habit of stroking his back rhythmically whenever he