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Oral symptoms in cases of hysteria are common and have been recognized for many years. Perhaps what has been less evident is the major part played by oral mechanisms in the dynamics of the hysterical character. It is clinically demonstrable that hysterical symptoms are often the first to give way, but the altering of the underlying character structure has been exceedingly difficult. Wittels,9 Reich8 and Fenichel2 have discussed this psychopathological entity in considerable detail, and Marmor6 has pointed out that the tenacity of the oral mechanisms, the immaturity and instability of the ego structure with the close relationship to schizophrenia, depressions, and addictions, and the resistance to change are best explained on the basis of a deep-seated oral fixation. Marmor makes reference to Freud's paper, “Libidinal Types”4 and notices the similarity in comparing his “erotic type,” exhibiting the excessive demands to be loved and strong oral dependency, with the hysterical character.
In my own case presentation to follow, I have made special reference to the very prominent features of orality which have tended to support and amplify the above references.