The authors discuss the increasing interest in phenomena related to the pathology of the self, from Freud to the present day. They focus on the development of object- and self-representations in children.

A clinical example is given from the psychotherapy of a girl presenting at 7 years of age. Anne was referred by her teacher because of learning difficulties despite her average intelligence. She appeared to be preoccupied with anal and oral activities which were holding back her development. These were centred on food and on faeces, but she gained little pleasure from these preoccupations.