Defence mechanisms

overview of defense mechanisms

1. DEFENSE MECHANISMS MR. SATISH N. CHOURE NURSING TUTOR, VMP CON, AKLUJ.

2. Introduction :- The term ‘ Defen s e Mechanism’ was first used by sigmund freud in his paper “The Neuro-Psychoses of defence” (1894 ). Anna (1937) developed the ideas given by Freud and elaborated them, adding 5 other own .

3. Definition: “Defense mechanisms are a tactics developed by ego to protect against anxiety” . - sigmund freud 1894

4. A defence mechanism is the act or technique of coping mechanisms that reduce anxiety generated by threats from unacceptable or negative impulses. The process is usually unconscious . Meaning :-

5. DEFENSE MECHANISMS

6. Is the substitution of a safe & reasonable explanation for the true cause of behavior . It occurs when we tell an element of truth but deny the larger truth of the matter . Example:- a student who cheats on a test may say : “I only cheated on a few question , i know most of the answers”. 1)Rationalization

7. 2)R e gress i on:- When someone is under a lot of stress, they return to behavior from an earlier stage of development. Also known as back journey .

8. Ex:- a lady regressed into adolescent starts to walk , talk or dress like as her younger self . When a person is confronted to some loss may be back journey to a stage which had been more pleasant & successful in his lifetime .

9. 3)Sublimation :- Satisfying an impulse ( Ex- aggression) with a substitute object in a socially acceptable way . This is similar to displacement but occurs when we manage to displace our emotions into a constructive rather than destructive manner .

10. Example :- Sport is an example of putting our emotions into something constructive .

11. 4)Withdrawal :- If someone faces failure or rejection they try to withdraw from that situation . Ex:- fear of rejection in making friends .

12. 5)Displacement :-  To transfer an impulse or idea from a threatening object to a less threatening object .

13. Denial involves blocking external events from awareness . If some situation is too much to handle , the person refuses to experience it . Most people use denial in their everyday lives to avoid dealing wit painful feelings or areas of their life they don’t wish to admit . 6)Simple denial

14. 7 )Fantasy :- Is a sort of imagination which can provide an escape from frustration by giving us imaginary satisfaction . Fantasy is a mechanism of wishful thinking & important for creative thinking

15. 8. Compensation :- It is a process of psychologically counterbalancing perceived weakness by emphasizing strength in other areas . It may be positive or negative . Ex :- A student who fails in his studies may compensate by becoming the college champion in athletics.

16. 9 ) Repression :- This was the first defence mechanism that Freud discovered & the most important one . Unconsciously and involuntary forgetting of painful ideas, events and conflicts. It can be defined as Motivated Forgetting.

17. Example:- forgetting physical/sexual abuse from childhood due to trauma and anxiety. Repression is caused due to forces active within ourselves . We try to forget what makes us feel inferior , ashamed , guilty & anxious.

18. 1 ) Reaction formation :- Expressing emotions that are the exactly opposite of what you feel. Conceal anger/hate with kindness. Teasing/bothering someone you like. This is a point where a person goes beyond denial & behaves in the opposite way to which he or she thinks or feel . It is also called Reversal Formation .

19. Example:- a woman , who is very angry with her boss and want to quit instead may be overly kind and generous towards her boss .

20. 1 1 ) Projection:- Is the misattribution of a person’s undesired thoughts, feelings or impulses onto another person who doesn’t have feelings or thoughts . Projection occurs when an individual threatened by his own angry feelings accuses another of harbouring hostile thoughts . People deal with unacceptable impulses by acting as if other people have them .

21. Example:- spouse cheats on wife and says that she is also a cheater .

22. INTELLECTUALIZATION Separation of the emotions of a painful event or situation from the facts involved. Example- person shows no emotional expression when discussing serious car accident.

23. Relevance of defence mechanisms to nursing practice The nurse must recognize and understand maladaptive defense mechanisms that patients use. The nurse has to carefully point out these mechanisms and work with patient to discourage such behaviors and encourage adaptive ones.

24. Conclusion:-  Defence mechanism helps to reduce the anxiety & help an individual to adjust better . But too much of everything is bad . Same is true with defence mechanism . Children should be guarded against too much use of defence mechanism . Because once they start using them it will became a habit with them & later on they will be using it unconsciously .

25. REFERENCES R Sreevani , A Guide to Mental Health and psychiatric Nursing, Jaypee publications, 3 rd edition, pg.no.-39-40. D Ellakuvana Bhaskararaja,Text Book Of Mental health Nursing,Emmess medical Publication pg.no. – 115-117. Neeraj Ahuja , text book of mental health Nursing, jaypee publications, pg.no. – 120. McLeod, S. A. (2009). Defense Mechanisms. Retrieved from http://www.simplypsychology.org/defense- mechanisms.html . Defense mechanism: Encyclopaedia Briticana .

26. Thank you