Ego death

Dissolution or death of the ego in its old form may occur in [regression]

if this is seen as an attempt to refuel the personality through merger with a parental or god-image. The ego potential may then reconstitute in a more adequate or conscious form. This loss of ego control, even if temporary, is dangerous; and it is only after emergence of an enriched personality that the "death" of the ego may be seen to have been the precursor of transformation.

Taking this change and death as a threat, the ego may resist and feel impending disaster. But as the ego sacrifices its old world, point-of-view and attitude, a new set of values and a new synthesis become possible.