Freeman subscribes to Glover's viewpoint and defines pathological narcissism as 'a condition which arises when there is a defensive exaggeration of narcissism which disturbs normal function and leads to mental suffering'. The pathological narcissism of the psychotic patient differs from that observed in certain psychoneurotic patients and in sexual deviates. The narcissism seen in the latter two types appears to arise from an advanced level of ego and instinctual development, whereas the narcissism of the psychotic stems from a more primitive matrix associated with primary process functioning. It is suggested that the concept of pathological narcissism may be of value in studying the relationships between the psychoses, borderline states, and psychoneuroses.