The author states that instinctual & interpersonal factors contribute to the masochistic phenomena. He illustrates this by a ‘helpless’ suicidal patient whose life has consisted of love & work failures, & who acts ineffectually. Treatment principles involved included: encouragement of dependence on the therapist; quarantine from other interpersonal communications; demonstration that the therapist was not an omnipotent presence in her life; intervention in hostility & anger. 10 ref.