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Neurotic Ego Distortion. W. H. Gillespie. Pp. 258-259.
A grave problem in the discussion of neurotic ego distortion is the absence of a norm against which the 'distortion' or deviation is measured; norms depend to a large extent upon the culture. To think in terms of ego 'norms' or 'distortions' raises the question of the goal of analysis, which is influenced by problems of countertransference. A 'distorted ego' may be one which is different from one's own (or too much like it). This is especially pertinent to training analysis: so-called 'ego strength' may really be weakness, with too great estrangement of the ego from the id impulse.