Sleep as an Escape Mechanism

The resort to suicide as a means of resolving a mental conflict and escaping from the obstacles presented by the world of reality has been quite adequately commented upon in various sources. That sleep may unconsciously be employed as a means of resolving a mental conflict also seems clear. In this respect sleep, under certain circumstances, may be considered as a form of temporary suicide. The following case of Theo L. lends interesting support to such an observation.

Theo L. is a young man of twenty-four. He was, at the time dealt with, a student in one of the large eastern city colleges. With an excellent family history and perfect health he aroused no suspicions that he was beset with mental disturbances of any kind. This was not known until he volunteered the information. He had always achieved enviable records in his classes, was an omnivorous reader and worker, and his teachers remarked especially upon his ability to do problems involving tremendous patience and laborious routine. This was true during the first years of his college life. In the spring of his senior year a marked change took place. His class work fell from the former high standards. It was then that he sought someone in whom he could confide.

The boy fully realized that he was losing his grip upon himself, and was glad to coöperate in every way in getting to the roots of his conflict. He spoke freely, and blockings were few. His first complaint was that he was no longer able to study without distraction. He had never been particularly bothered with phantasies, and day dreams had not hindered his ability to read with concentration of attention. But now this had changed. His mind wandered as he read. He would suddenly discover he had been over several pages, and yet could not recall a word upon them. His mind was filled with phantasies, largely of an erotic nature. These grew upon him, and prevented close attention to the work he was doing in some advanced classes. He also began to bite the inside