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DISCUSSION: Dr. Howard Schlossman suggested that the claustrophobe and the depressive can also be contrasted in terms of their ego states. In depression the ego is more regressed and passive in relation to drives and superego. In claustrophobia regression is less severe. This fact and the nature of the defenses allow conservation of relatively uninvolved ego function. Reviewing Dr. Gehl's interesting comments on the function of motion in the claustrum, Dr. Schlossman referred to a paper by Dr. David L. Rubinfine which stresses the importance of motion in the establishment and maintenance of reality testing. The case histories reflect the importance of this factor since the depression in each was initiated by some restriction of movement. The specific fantasy of the claustrophobe involves a body-phallus equation with a fear of being crushed by the vagina. Action represents a defense and symbolizes potency.
Dr. George Gero was not so convinced about the main thesis of the paper, i.e., the close relationship of claustrophobia to depression, as he was about the merits of the case histories. Just as a symptom can have various mechanisms and dynamics, it is also true that phobic-like reactions are seen in depressives and that depression is a part of all neurotic illness. In order to distinguish phobic-like reactions from true claustrophobia, the displacement of aggressive and sexual conflicts must be clearly shown. Only when these factors are taken into account and careful studies are made can a clear and intimate relationship between these symptoms be shown to exist.
Dr. Edith Jacobson agreed with Dr. Gero that depression is omnipresent. To