A psychotic organization of the personality.

Clinical material is presented to illustrate the difference between psychotic and non-psychotic organizations of the personality. It is suggested that the psychotic part of the personality strives to possess and control its objects because it needs them to repair a damaged ego. The nonpsychotic part on the other hand is able to face reality sufficiently to relinquish its objects and mourn them. The interaction between the two parts in the same patient is discussed.