This paper is a clinical account of a patient whose adolescence was dominated by perverse and antisocial behaviour and who later became ill with severe anxiety symptoms and inability to work. In the analysis the breakdown of his omnipotent defences led to feelings of impotence and depression and delusional fears which he had previously tried to deal with by drugs and perverse sexuality. Both good and bad sexuality were used to compensate for lack of internal and external loving relationships. Analysis helped him to achieve a more stable equilibrium as a result of his becoming more able to become aware of and contain the murderous part of himself, and the growth of good parts and loving feelings.