This time, as the final installment, we'll be looking at the phallic narcissistic type. This type is often related to the schizoid type, which develops early on, and often exhibits a strong combination of both schizoid and rigid types in the same body type.
Rigid types vary slightly between men and women. Male types include the phallic narcissist and the passive feminine. Female types include the hysterical and masculine-aggressive. Phallic narcissist men and hysterical women are hyper-conscious of their own gender and can be described as stereotypical. They receive positive gender recognition from their parents. However, they are often overstimulated and may inevitably be rejected. They learn that identifying with their same-gender parent is a better way to survive in this world. Passive feminine men and masculine-aggressive women are more split, often holding a negative image of their own gender and displaying characteristics of the other gender. For example, boys tend to have soft and gentle personalities, while girls tend to be violent and stubborn. In this final installment, of these four types, I would like to discuss the phallic narcissist and hysterical types.
The formation of the rigid type occurs during the Oedipus complex period, between the ages of 3 and 6. The infant becomes increasingly aware of his or her own sexuality. Until this age, the mother is the primary caregiver, but after age 3, the father becomes the primary figure who guides the infant out into society. During this period, the ego is strongly established not only in relation to internal needs but also in relation to the external world. The infant experiences rejection by the opposite-sex parent and feels betrayed by their parent's love. To the infant, erotic pleasure, sexual awareness, and love are all the same thing. The infant gradually begins to control all emotions, including pain, rage, and happiness, and internalises them. To give in to emotions means to express all feelings to others, which is extremely frightening for the infant. As a result, the infant, unable to obtain what he or she truly needs directly, begins to fulfill his or her needs through manipulation. Affection becomes deeply intertwined with self-esteem, and denial of sexual affection is devastating to their self-esteem.
Rigid people don't want others to think they're stupid, so they keep their emotions and even their actions to themselves. They tend to be so-called "worldly people" (socialists) and are very ambitious, competitive, and aggressive. They claim to be "excellent and knowledgeable." However, deep down, they have a strong fear of betrayal and tend to avoid being vulnerable and vulnerable in any situation. This further strengthens their self-esteem. Holding their heads high and standing straight is a sign of high self-esteem. Their body shape reflects a strong ego and a lot of external control. Their ego does not recognise the fears of others.
Rigid people demand affection and sexuality from others, but when they do interact with others, they seductively assume a position of authority and slip into a neutral position. This creates a competitive spirit and makes them unable to feel love. This damages their self-esteem, leading to even more competitiveness. As a result, they don't get what they truly want, creating a vicious cycle. Their sexual encounters are met with contempt, not love. Their relationships tend not to last long.
The term "rigidity" generally refers to muscular stiffness, a state of restrained, tense inner emotional impulse. Their bodies are typically attractive, energetic, and well-proportioned. Their posture is upright, confident, self-respecting, and vibrant. Their graceful movements and abundant energy are evidenced by a high, taut muscle tone throughout. They may have a particularly strong sense of tension in the chest area, a cold, retracted pelvis, and frequent lower back pain.
The right to recognition, the demand for advancement
The phallic narcissist, primarily found in men, is willing to take any risk and defeat any opponent in order to succeed and enhance their self-esteem. For them, life is about work, struggle, excitement, and challenge. There's always a challenge ahead, and they have no time for relaxation. They work hard and constantly strive to achieve their goals. Their bodies are upright and assertive, standing perpendicular to the fear of failure. Their muscles are tight and firm, struggling to keep from collapsing. This does not allow for any relaxation. They often have an inverted triangle shape, with broad shoulders and narrow hips. Typical occupations include athletes, stockbrokers, military personnel, and gamblers. In extreme cases, this can lead to sadism and paranoia.
Figure 1: Phallic-Narcissistic type
When rigid people come to therapy, one of the first things they report is that they have no emotions at all. They truly want to get in touch with their emotions, but they've experienced all the shame, pleasure, and intimacy that comes with it. They distance themselves from these situations, insisting, "I'll never get in touch with emotions," driven by the negative belief that it will only hurt them. They tend to prioritise sexual desire over affection, which never satisfies their emotions and creates a double bind: "Neither choice is right." This boosts their self-esteem and leads them to suppress their emotions, which they shouldn't have to do. In therapy, they connect their mind (emotions) with their genitals, which leads to resolution.
Soon after the therapy begins, the therapist becomes their opponent and, if necessary, their opponent. Instead, the therapist must strive to set an example for them of being flexible yet mentally strong, teaching them that kindness and flexibility are not weaknesses. They must gradually give them the opportunity to experience the joy and pleasure of being in touch with their innermost, vulnerable selves. The therapist conveys the message, "Even people with great power and ability cry sometimes. I admire your willingness to show your emotions and flexibility. Often, no one has the upper hand." The therapist must never enter into a competitive situation with the client. The therapist must never assume the attitude of being smarter or bossy.
- The demand for choice, play, and ambiguity
The hysterical type, primarily seen in women, feels like everything is out of their control. There's always something exciting or frightening happening. They need attention, but they can't stand being still or being watched. They try to rule out any situation to escape. Everything is sexual, exciting, and dangerous to them. This is related to at least one parent exploiting their child's inherent sexuality and sexualising them. The other parent is often cold, distant, and very demanding, with a particular focus on sex and competitiveness. The child becomes overly emotional, overt, and dramatic. Relationships often involve excessive attention seeking and sexual problems, particularly with members of the opposite sex. Examples include pre-orgasmic syndrome, premature or delayed ejaculation, and unsatisfying orgasms.
Hysterical types may be very attractive, mature, and well-built. Or they may have a graceful, supple appearance that can be disconcerting to both partners and themselves. Alternatively, they may be completely rigid and awkward, with a non-gendered physique, but both are highly sexually attractive. Typical occupations include actors, sex workers, party organisers, and pop stars. In extreme cases, the condition can lead to hysteria, pseudoschizophrenia, multiple personalities, phobias, and hypochondria.
Figure 2: Hysteric type
A hysterical person with schizoid characteristics has a desire for companionship mixed with anxiety about interacting with others. Hysterical people generally tend to be persistent in their approach, but in times of crisis, they will do anything to protect themselves rather than simply being present with the therapist. Therefore, therapists must be careful not to provide engaging or entertaining material and must avoid personal judgment. They must address the client's current emotional state and encourage them to confront their fears, but they must respond with compassion and wisdom. The therapist's message is, "I'm not here to cater to your needs, and you're not here to cater to mine. You don't have to do that to get my attention. You can be yourself here without being mistreated."
Wilhelm Reich's theory of personality development has been passed down to many successors and is widely incorporated into psychotherapy today. After all, there is no such thing as a perfect human being. To a greater or lesser extent, infants experience psychological shock, and their hidden emotions accumulate in their muscles, blocking the flow of energy within the body, resulting in the formation of their individual physical shapes. Emotions stored in the body sink to an unconscious level, but through therapy, I believe the key is to bring them to the client's conscious level, allowing them to confront this state and alleviate their deep-seated fears. The massage technique incorporated into body psychotherapy is biodynamic massage, introduced by Gerda Boyesen (1980). This involves using a stethoscope (nowadays, electronic stethoscopes are often used) to listen to the sounds of abdominal peristalsis and to hear the client's unconscious reactions to touch. The therapist explores the client's deepest hidden emotions while providing a massage. I'll explain this massage in more detail another time.
Finally, I hope that Wilhelm Reich's theory of personality development, introduced here, will be useful as part of the knowledge base for therapists who practice bodywork. It may be interesting to learn not only what type of client you are, but also what type of therapist you are. Regardless of the type of client, gentle and sincere emotional support from the therapist is very important, and we hope to build a trusting relationship by maintaining mutual boundaries during therapy.
Yumiko Inoue
After graduating from Otsuma Women's University in March 1998 with an associated degree in English Literature, she worked for major companies in Tokyo and London. In the summer of 1997, she moved to the UK and obtained qualifications in Aromatherapy from the Tisserand Institute and Reflexology from the Bailey School. She also obtained qualifications in advanced Aromatherapy, Indian Champissage, Reiki, Lymphatic Drainage, and Hydrotherapy. She also studied Body Psychotherapy at the Chiron Center. She gained experience working at major spas, hospices, and as a teaching assistant. She is currently the mother of one child and practices therapy at Balance the Clinic in Chelsea, London.
During the therapeutic process, the masked client may initially hesitate, saying, "Yes, but..." and then their inferior or hidden self may begin to emerge into consciousness and say, "I will never love you." As a result of the bodywork, the client begins to feel, their higher self resolves the issue, and they are able to say, "I commit. I love people."
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Grace Jones, Madonna, Captain Kirk (Star Trek), Tom Cruise, etc.
Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, Sleeping Beauty, Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Sly Stallone, Bette Davis, Boy George, etc.