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The author puts forward an argument that explores the concept of manic defence as a defence against a primary rather than only a secondary depression, as suggested by Klein whose argument is taken up here. This entails a definition of primary depression that brings into play the concept of primary narcissism. The particular quality of projective identification deployed in this case deprives the ego to the benefit of the object. This engenders a countertransference that is difficult to tolerate in the analyst. It leads to a specific technique being used in managing the interventions. These points are illustrated with a clinical example.