(based on a lecture by Gunter Horn)

1. FIRST PHASE – SCHIZOID

 As the child develops, the desire to merge with the mother is replaced by a desire to separate.

If in the mother’s womb the whole world seems to the baby to be part of himself, then as freedom increases, schizoidness appears - (shiza or in Russian “schizma” - split) splitting.

It is based on the fact that now the sensations of cold, hardness, sounds are different from the monotony of the state in the womb. It is necessary to differentiate new sensations, which leads to splitting.

It is believed that a child who is born experiences intense fear while passing through the birth canal, felt as the death of life in the womb of the mother. If in adulthood a person experiences a threat to life (sexual violence or physical injury), this existential fear is actualized again.

The characterology of a schizoid is consolidated in those who lacked visual and tactile contact with their mother, when the child spent a long time communicating with toys instead of communicating with his mother. The positive side of this characterology is that distancing from the mother develops intelligence, as compensation of a kind, the ability to operate with abstract concepts and creativity. Such people are subsequently inclined to engineering and technical activities, since it is easier for them than others to abstract emotions and reflect on abstract ideas.

Such people tend to intellectualize everything, love solitude, as a rule, it is precisely such people who are able to give birth to some brilliant works or inventions; their intellectual potential is enormous. You can recognize a schizoid by a sad or absent look, often critical or examining, sometimes fanatical.

Freedom comes with a sense of insecurity, partly because traditions are being lost. To help a child overcome the fears born of freedom, it is useful to build rituals into communication.

Autistic people (people immersed in their inner experiences) have a fairly large schizoid component. It is important for schizoids to be “above everyone” - for them such a position personifies success. They tend to structure their behavior in such a way as to be “above” others and command them as they once commanded their mother - this is a mechanism for overcompensating for the need for power that was suppressed by the mother’s control.  Schizoid leaders may not feel compassion and make decisions without emotions, without taking into account people’s experiences. Successful managers from schizoids - at the anal stage of development, learned to achieve their goals, and at the latent stage - to distinguish between wrong and right.

The more pronounced the schizoid characterology, the less they suffer, they want to tell others about their problems, and they love themselves. They are alienated from the world.  

The positive side of this characterology is that it allows you to look at yourself “from the outside” thanks to precisely this splitting and the ability to abstract from emotions.

Primary schizoidity consists of the ability to restore relationships with mother after separation of several hours. Secondary schizoidism is a consequence of trauma in adulthood, when a person regresses to the level of primary schizoidity and his fear for his life is reactivated.  And if primary schizoidity levels out during normal development, then secondary schizoidity is very difficult to correct even during long-term psychotherapy.

In psychotherapy, it becomes difficult to work with images; the client either does not see them or perceives them from the outside, detached. It is very difficult to build contact with a psychotherapist since schizoids experience fear of emotional and physical intimacy.  

It should be noted that 100% schizoid does not exist, usually the schizoid radical dominates, but in combination with other radicals of the personality.

2. SECOND PHASE -  DEPRESSIVE

With the normal development of the child (when there is emotional warmth - a friendly attitude towards the child from the mother, a constant environment - when the same close people do not change their attitude towards the child - this is how basic security, rhythm - that is, a routine, rituals that are repeated) the depressive phase replaces the schizoid one.  In the depressive phase after schizoid detachment, the child again strives to merge with the mother, this happens at the oral stage. The leading zone at this stage is the oral mucosa, and perception by the eyes is also important. All objects around are perceived as unique. The child speaks in fear, makes excuses, takes an expectant position, and wants to do something.

In psychotherapy, such clients usually speak monotonously, the images are idealized (there is no evil in them, it is projected outside) 

3. THIRD PHASE - ANAL

 This phase, in which the anal-obsessive radical is formed, lasts from 1 to 3 years. At this phase, it is important to be able to walk, to know where “down” is and where “up” is, and to navigate in space. The phase of protest to the “chief” in the family begins. It passes if the child is not broken with the help of strict control, allowing him to show independence. Otherwise, the child grows up passive and there may be developmental delays. During this period, you need to allow the child to show aggression and give him more attention and love.

The sphincter muscles that control the excretory function work unconsciously. When stuck in the anal phase, the child cannot differentiate between good and bad. A child should not be overly punished for untidiness during this period of formation of neatness, otherwise this will lead to sadomasochistic tendencies.

During this period, the child learns to control himself and be shy, prohibitions are realized.

4. FOURTH PHASE - OEDIPAL

This occurs between 3 and 5 years of age. Fantasies about marrying mom/dad appear; emotional life is enlivened. During this period, the hysterical characterology of the personality is formed, characterized by the importance of the impression that the person makes on the opposite sex.

In psychotherapy, such people vividly describe images.

The Oedipal patient feels competitive and does not want the therapist to have other clients.

5. FIFTH PHASE - LATENT

The phase lasts from 7 to 12 years and is characterized by doubts. The child identifies himself with authority and tries to experiment with sensations. It's difficult to imagine something abstract. At this phase, the child forms a value system: what is good and what is bad. It is very important for a child to belong to a peer group during this period.  

6. PHASE SIX - PUBERTY

Psychotherapeutic practice shows that men are more often fixed in the schizoid, anal or latent phases, and women in the oral (depressive)  and oedipal phases. Due to hormonal changes, a teenager’s mood changes more often; he gets tired quickly, pays a lot of attention to his appearance, and does not study well. This is the phase of separation from parents.

It is important to respect the child’s desire to be alone and have his own space.

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