The author describes the case of a young boy, in treatment during his Oedipal and prelatency periods, who suffered from a severe unresolved symbiotic relationship to his mother which was stimulated by the mother's intense attachment and attentiveness to the child. The boy's Oedipal needs were poorly handled by his weak ego, resulting in aggressive acting out. Three aspects of the relationship between the boy's ego and his dreams were noted. 1. During treatment when the ego became strong enough to give up pathological behavior patterns that served defensive purposes, the underlying conflict appeared in intense dream activity. 2. As reality seemed to become less threatening the ego, while protected by sleep, allowed certain wishes freer expression in the dream than in waking life. 3. When the instinctual content of the dreams became too threatening, the waking ego disavowed the dream and even the whole process of dreaming. This defense by extrusion appeared to derive from earlier measures taken against the dangers of too close attachment to the mother.