The psychodynamic models of abnormal behavior have two main distinguishing
features. First, they view disorders as the result of childhood trauma or
anxieties. Second, they hold that many of the childhood-based anxieties operate
unconsciously; because experiences are too threatening for the adult to face, they
are repressed through mental defense mechanisms – the very topic of this post;
defense mechanisms are ego-protections strategies that shelter the individual
from anxiety – either neurotic, reality or moral – operate unconsciously, and
distort reality. As a result, people exhibit
symptoms that they are unable to
understand because they are manifestations of the unconscious conflicts. This post will be focusing on seven of the most common types of defense mechanisms.
Denial
Declaring or thinking whatever is true is false. Refusal to accept reality,
external facts, events, implications because the nature of the reality
threatens individual. Emotional conflicts resolved by refusal to acknowledge
unpleasant external realities.
Example: Alcoholic who refuses to believe his drinking makes an impact on
his job performance or family life
Displacement
Aggression or even sexual impulses redirected to a more acceptable party.
Emotion pointed to safer outlet. Separation of emotion from its real object.
Emotion dissuaded to object, party that brings less risk.
Example: Mother may yell at child when she feels angry at husband. In this
case she displaces her anger toward child because the child appears to be a
more acceptable target; less threatening, less risk in outcome.
Humor
Humor allows for exploration of absurdity, or emotions and ideas that are
unpleasant to focus on or too terrible to talk about, in a way that brings
pleasure to others. Wit, is a type of humor that displaces. Wit brings
attention to the distressing, which remains unpleasant.
Example: Excessive humor used to mask emotions and avoid addressing
underlying ‘true’ issues.
Intellectualization
Taking an extremely objective viewpoint without regard for emotions.
Focusing on only intellectual parts of a situation to create distance from
relevant anxiety provoking emotions. Avoiding unacceptable emotions by focusing
on the intellectual aspects. Thinking about wishes in emotionally bland, formal
ways, not acting on them.
Example: After learning they have a terminal illness, an individual begins
spending all time studying about the illness to avoid thinking abt the direct
effect in their own life.
Projection
Attributing one’s own unacknowledged unacceptable/unwanted thoughts and
emotions to another. It reduces anxiety, allows expression of undesirable
impulse or desire without conscious awareness.
Example: Assuming that someone you extremely dislike extremely dislikes you.
Severe prejudice, severe jealousy, hyper vigilance to external danger, and
‘injustice collecting’.
Reaction Formation
Overacting in the opposite way to a fear. Converting unconscious wishes or
impulses perceived to be dangerous into opposites; behavior completely opposite
of what one really wants or feels; taking opposite belief because true belief
causes anxiety. This mechanism works effectively for coping in the short term,
but will eventually lead to a break down.
Example: A manager treats employee whom they extremely dislike ultra-kindly,
making many special efforts to cater to that person and thus hide true feelings
of dislike.
Repression
Pulling thoughts into unconscious, preventing painful or dangerous thoughts
from entering consciousness; seemingly unexplainable naivety, memory lapse or
lack of awareness of one’s own situation and condition. Emotion is conscious,
idea behind it absent. Pushing uncomfortable thoughts into the subconscious.
Example: Individual abused as a child represses feelings and memories, so
that feelings and memories no longer remain in the conscious memory. The abuse
continues to affect the individual’s behavior in relationships.
No comments:
Post a Comment