For a better understanding of the differences between psychoanalysis as it was formalized by its founder, and today's orientations, it may be useful to take a look at what has remained beyond the scope of the psychic field explored by Freud. Three spheres can be considered as being marginal to the corpus of Freudian doctrine: psychosis, femininity and the psychoanalysis of children.

I would propose that narcissism be considered not as a clearly-defined sphere, but as a concept which, despite Freud's investigation, is still an incomplete means of access to the three spheres mentioned.

Having sensed the difficulties involved, Freud referred to the sphere of femininity as the unknown “darkest Africa” and the difficulties regarding the analysis of children are familiar to us, with Freud's scepticism about the possibility of creating a transference analytical relationship with small children.