Simon used his omnipotence to armour himself against frightening feelings of vulnerability and dependence. In this omnipotent state he was free from the pain of separation and, in this way, safeguarded from the frustration essential for the development of thought. Thus the omnipotence contributed to the maintenance of his subnormality.

Much of the intellectual capacity he did possess was used to manipulate and control the analyst but ultimately to Simon's own disadvantage. He also attacked his intelligence by remaining as a sort of parasitic foetus in the mother's womb and, by maintaining this state of affairs, he actively blocked stimuli which would have been a spur to his development.