Various similarities and differences appear between the personalities of patients with toxic and non-toxic goiter. Disturbed family patterns were present in both groups, leading to severe dependency conflicts. Typical neurotic fears were equal and marked in both groups. Every patient interviewed showed evidence of neurotic character disorder, with sexual and social difficulties and marked conflict in the handling of aggressive impulses. Both groups developed a tendency toward fixation on some parentified figure as the object of dependent cravings, whether spouse, parent, child or friend. As a means of handling dependency conflicts, patients with toxic goiter developed a defensive pattern of denial of dependence, with identification with the strong parent and an attitude of pseudo-independence. In this fashion they assume compulsively the role of caretaker of the individual upon whom they have fixed their own dependence. This mechanism is a frail counterphobic device which breaks down upon real or fancied threat of loss of this figure. In the latter instance the onset of thyrotoxicosis often appeared. Patients with non-toxic goiter do not demonstrate this pattern of pseudo-independence, but are more resigned to expecting denial of dependent needs.