The Mechanism of Auto-Punishment

During the last few years, psychoanalysts have discovered the value of a mechanism which holds a most important place in the neurotic constitution. This mechanism is to be found at the root of all psychic troubles, whether manifest or latent, and is invaluable for the comprehension and cure of these troubles. It is known as the mechanism of auto-punishment or failure.

The tardy appearance of this theory in the history of psychoanalytical doctrines should not surprise us if we take into consideration the paradoxical nature of a psychic phenomenon of this kind, by means of which the unconscious is led to achieve an objective which is fundamentally opposed to the interests of the individual. It is no easy matter for the mind to accept the idea, that the misfortunes which overtake men and which cause them suffering, can be created and called forth by an inward mechanism. One is more readily led to look for the causes of such misfortunes in an external influence, which would be either magic—as in the case of the mentality of primitive man—or mechanical—as in the scientific conception of the world; and yet we have only to glance around us to see manifestations of masochism in every stage, from erotic perversion, which seeks to mingle humiliation—blows, pain, etc.—with love (for instance, it is a commonly known fact that certain women take pleasure in being beaten), to the purely lyrical flights of the poets who choose rather to tell their sufferings than to stop short at joy and pleasure.

There again, it is the pathological development of the neurotic patient which has enabled us to discover and to understand this phenomenon. All doctors who have treated nervous cases have noticed that generally the patients have no real desire to be cured. Frequently, it is noticed that their condition affords them certain advantages, namely, that of being the object of particular care, of special attention, thus enabling them to exercise over those around them a kind of authority which th