Fleming describes the manner of handling the transference in a patient whose ego could not tolerate a full-fledged transference neurosis. The patient was raised by a psychotic mother whose behavior was so erratic and frustrating that the patient sought refuge in fantasies of omnipotence and retaliation. Those defenses produced a severe character neurosis by interfering with a proper appreciation of reality and the establishment of satisfactory interpersonal relationships.

Had this patient permitted herself to develop a transference neurosis along classical lines she would have been drawn into a situation in the analysis