The nature of their object relations distinguishes two types of patients: the 'ocnophil' sees the world as consisting of objects separated by horrid empty spaces, while the 'philobat' sees the reverse, friendly expanses (spaces) broken up by or dotted with dangerous objects. The ocnophil finds his security in clinging to objects, the philobat in avoiding them. With considerable success the ocnophil tries to cling in a primitive way to any object that might possibly play a maternal role; while the philobat develops skill in handling and sometimes mastering objects, keeping them at a distance from himself and sublimating successfully. Both groups have the same aim: to re-establish the harmony that existed before awareness of the separateness of objects.