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Freud's fourfold ætiological formula used for panic; external danger
not 'the' cause. External danger mobilizes aggressive impulses, if there is no immediate opportunity for outlet the mind when dealing with the increased mental tension is forced to effect a redistribution of love and hate cathexes; perhaps an incapacity to do this rapidly enough is the specific cause of panic.
In panic self-control is lost and social bonds are broken. Ordinarily members of an organized group have distributed their love and hate in recognized and safe channels; the dissolution of group cohesion (panic) may bring those near and dear to the self within range of (formerly distantly projected) hostility; i.e. breakdown of group system has personal as well as social consequences. Panic adds guilt to the already disturbing anxiety, and less of capacity for constructive activity for loved objects in danger increases mental anguish.
In panic larger-group loyalties is often lost while loyalty to smaller-groups remains: this libido shifting is done to diminish mental strain, it is commonly regarded by Central Authority as rebellion or disaffection.
Air raids likely to produce strain from two sources: external and internal dangers. Internal dangers chiefly due to mobilization of infantile phantasies with accompanying anxieties and guilt, particularly aggression against loved objects.
Psychological Precautions: since panic is not a new thing but reawakening (in modified form) of infantile anxieties those measures found efficacious in infancy may be applied to meet panic problem of adults. Four main measures (then as now): (a) Membership in a group: panic best allayed by doing something for those one loves, i.e. contributing to security or comfort (mental and physical) of group. Manipulative activity (itself satisfying, i.e. calming) is here yoked to social purposes. (b) Mastery of sources of danger: this includes all activities (not only shooting down bombers and dowsing conflagratio