The mental states of psychopathic or nervous ills are of an
infantile, child type. In this respect the mental states simulate
cancerous and other malignant growths of an embryonic character.
The psychopathic mental states are not only of a childish
character, but they are often associated with child experiences
of early life. The psychopathic condition points to some early
fear-producing experience, or fear awakening shock.
II. _The Principle of Recurrence_
Fear experiences tend to repeat themselves in consciousness,
and especially in the subconscious states of the child. This
repetition or recurrence keeps alive the psychopathic fear nucleus,
and _fixes_ it in the mind. Fixed fear systems become further
developed by the subsequent experiences of life. The aroused
fear instinct may either become weakened or strengthened. When
the conditions of life are unfavorable and adverse, tending to
further cultivation of the impulse of self-preservation and the
fear instinct, the outcome is a psychopathic disposition, ending
in a nervous state with typical symptoms of some definite nervous
trouble, formed by the _latest_ or _ultimate_ fear experiences.
III. _The Principle of Proliferation and Complication_
With the growth of the child the fear experiences increase and
multiply. These experiences become associated with the original
child nucleus of fear and thus a complexity of fear systems is
built up. Worries, depressions, and anxieties help to increase and
develop the psychopathic system of groups of fear experiences. The
morbid state grows like an avalanche in its progress downwards.
IV. _The Principle of Fusion or of Synthesis_
All the fear experiences become associated and grouped gradually
around the original child fear experience which is often of a
subconscious character. The long series of fear experiences becomes
fused and synthesized by the central fear instinct and impulse
of self-preservation, which are fundamental in every being, but
which have been specially cultivated by the course of events and
experiences in the neurotic patient. The experiences become fused,
synthesized, and systematized, forming one complex network of
closely interrelated fear obsessions with the fear instinct and
impulse of self preservation in the background.
V. _The Principle of Contrast_
Feelings and emotions follow by contrast. Excitement is followed by
depression, enjoyment by disgust, exhilaration by disappointment.
This is well brought out in the changes observed in the
psychopathic self and fear states.
Fear may be followed by _anger_, especially against those who
are sure to show no opposition, or may even manifest fear. The
excitement of fear in others is a way which diminishes fear in the
patient and helps him to have confidence in himself, strengthening
his impulse of self preservation.
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