In discussing recent theoretical views concerning anxiety, Rangell mentions the divergent views as to the existence of an 'actual' neurosis, or the automatic production of anxiety. He cites various views concerning the early origins of anxiety but believes that the basic question about whether anxiety as such exists in the precursors of the ego remains unanswered.

The author proposes that the 'actual' neurosis, or state of being dammed-up, is a valid entity but that the production of 'automatic' anxiety without ego participation does not follow from this. In the traumatic situation it is the affect of 'unpleasure' that is automatic; anxiety appears as a reaction to danger (for instance, the danger that the state of helplessness will get worse) just as in signal anxiety. He believes that in neither the unpleasure of the traumatic state nor in signal anxiety can the term 'automatic' (in the sense of 'having no psychological