The case of Mr B

Mr B is a 39-year-old attorney who has been in analysis for 3 years. He sought treatment because of discontent with his marriage, inhibitions in pursuing artistic interests, and a wish to be more direct and assertive in his relationship with others.

Although Mr B respects and admires his wife, he is troubled by her physical appearance which is not the image of the attractive, sexy woman that he wishes and feels he deserves to have for his wife. Some years ago Mr B was in love with a woman who had the physical appearance and personality that appeal to him. After some months of courtship, she broke off the relationship. Mr B still thinks of her and yearns to have the feelings of love that he felt for her.

An effective lawyer whose practice involves helping indigent clients, Mr B feels insecure in his work and often seeks out the advice and help of older mentors. He idealizes these figures.

Mr B has some gifts as an artist and would have liked to pursue these professionally. Because of parental opposition to this plan and his own insecurity, he studied law instead. Now Mr B dabbles in art and would like to develop his skills in this field, but in practice he does very little to fulfill these ambitions.

Mr B complains of being shy and unable to express his wishes and needs directly. If he feels anger he tends to suppress it or discharge it in indirect ways that avoid confrontation. He is afraid of getting into fights or clashes with his colleagues and others. Hence, he seeks to appease and to avoid conflict. As a result, Mr B feels himself to be overly compliant and submissive. This is a problem for Mr B in dealing with his wife who is a definite, assertive and often controlling person. Mr B has two sisters, one older and one younger. He envies both, but also is quite critical of them. He experiences active competition with his siblings over who is most successful and who has the better marriage. Mr B often feels left out of the relationship with his two sisters who are clo