In these quoted passages we have a description of the uprush from the unconscious and successful sovereignty of the conflicting B complex. Before continuing with our analysis two points are worth noting. First: With the winning of sovereignty by this system of ideas, the previously dominating system—or self—sank to an inferior position and assumed the protesting, one may say, the rebellious attitude. Like two adversaries in a wrestling conflict, in which first one then the other holds the vantage and each in turn yields before the superior force of the other, so it was turn and turn about, and now the rebellious complex becoming the victor, repressed the protests, the self-reproaches, doubts, fears, and scruples of the regularly constituted government.
Second: With the eruption of the B complex into the C personality it is interesting once more to note the increase of physical strength, and improvement in the general health. It was thought by her physician that it was really a condition of health which had supervened but, as will be seen, this was far from being the case; it was one of psychological disintegration. Nevertheless with the one system of ideas—the B complex—there were associated all the mental and bodily reactions of health, with the other complex the reactions characteristic of the neurasthenic condition. This alteration was still more noticeable later when the B personality erupted. The same phenomenon was observed in the case of Miss Beauchamp. With the appearance of the “Sally” complex all the neurasthenic symptoms vanished, and the personality became buoyant with health. Identical variations in health have been observed in other cases of dissociated personality; one phase of personality being characterized by an extreme hysterical condition, another by freedom from such symptoms (Felida X., Marcelline R., and others). This phenomenon is of great significance for the understanding of the neurasthenic and hysteric condition.
[264]. This study was first published in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology, Oct., 1919, but originally was written for this volume. It was omitted with other lectures from the first edition to limit the size of the volume.
[265]. Dissociation and inhibition are not coextensive terms for although inhibition implies dissociation, a dissociated element may not be necessarily inhibited as it may function subconsciously or independently of the personal consciousness.
[266]. Unfortunately most of the reported cases were not studied from a genetic point of view and the reports are too meagre to afford sufficient data for a study of this kind. But in many cases the principles can be recognized. In the article “Hysteria from the Point of View of Dissociated Personality,” Journal of Abnormal Psychology, Oct., 1906, I have given a synopsis in tabulated form of the reports accessible up to the date of publication.
[267]. I would refer those who are interested in this problem of personality to a similar but more exhaustive study of the case of “Miss Beauchamp” which I have recently published in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology, Vol. XV, Nos. 2 and 3, 1920. A descriptive account of the case was published in 1906: The Dissociation of a Personality; New York; Longmans, Green & Co., 1906.
[268]. Published under the title “My Life as a Dissociated Personality” in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology; Oct.-Nov., 1908 and Dec.-Jan., 1909.
[269]. The broken lines indicate dissociation; the solid lines, synthesis.
[270]. I have italicized a number of words and sentences not thus emphasized in the original account.