The author presents the case of a medical student whose loss of optic imagination was the outstanding feature of his depression. Narcissism, optic libido and sado-masochistic tendencies came out strongly in the analysis, and the underlying factors are discussed. This analysis, the author believes, 'shows that self-observation has three specific roots: (a) Dissatisfied narcissism, (b) sado-masochistic tendencies, (c) optic curiosity'. The author's formulation differs from the accepted psycho-analytical theory in its denial of an objectless narcissistic stage of psychosexual development. 'Consciousness is a social function which reflects in the superego, and overconsciousness (self-consciousness) is a result of over-socialization with levelling of the object relations'. Stress is laid upon the social character of human existence, wherein every psychic act is the act of a person who lives in a social group.