Some Aspects of the Analysis of a Schizophrenic1

In recent years an increasing number of psycho-analysts have begun to treat schizophrenic patients psycho-analytically, using various modifications of technique. I think, therefore, that the case I describe will be of interest since I have attempted to analyse a typical schizophrenic—with no doubt about his diagnosis—with only minor deviations from strict analytical technique. Especially, I took care not to step out of the rôle of the analyst who interprets, into that of an ally or an educator.

Edward was a diffident, over-sensitive child and adolescent. Very intellectual, over-ambitious, he was superficially well adapted to his surroundings but, in fact, completely withdrawn into himself and secretive to the point of obsession. Already, as a child, he was interested in biology and centred on it all his infantile sexual curiosity and his intellectual interests. He found another outlet for his emotions in daydreams, usually about idealised girls, the princesses whom he was going to win over from a terrible father or rival. At school he got on quite well. Somehow his personality seemed to fit the requirements of the old-fashioned public school. His difficulties went unnoticed by himself as well as by his teachers and schoolfellows. Within the limited field of his interests he was quite brilliant and won a scholarship to a famous college, first among many hundreds.

When at the age of 18½ he was called up, things became much more difficult. He was sent to India and went to an Engineers' OCTU, but could not cope with the training. He was very good at blowing mines, he says, but no good at all at building bridges. He failed to get his commission and was referred for six months. Then he started worrying obsessionally whether he should remain at the OCTU or resign in the hope of getting released sooner and being able to resume his studies. He became anxious, brooding, and showed signs of an approaching breakdown. Eventually, he resigned on an impulse when an of