Defense Mechan isms-notes.ppt

jkl

1. Defense mechanisms are a type of process or
coping that results in automatic psychological
responses exhibited as a means of protecting
the individual against anxiety (Dziegielewski
2010).
It is very important for the practitioner to be
aware and recognize how they influence
treatment (APA, 2000).

2. Freud
Unconscious mental processes
employed by the ego to reduce
anxiety

3. Freud's Defense Mechanisms include:
Denial: claiming/believing that what is true to be actually
false.
Displacement: redirecting emotions to a substitute target.
Intellectualization: taking an objective viewpoint.
Projection: attributing uncomfortable feelings to others.
Rationalization: creating false but credible justifications.
Reaction Formation: overacting in the opposite way to the
fear.
Regression: going back to acting as a child.
Repression: pushing uncomfortable thoughts into the
subconscious.
Sublimation: redirecting 'wrong' urges into socially
acceptable actions.

4. Defense mechanisms (or coping styles) are
automatic psychological processes that protect
the individual against anxiety and from the
awareness of internal or external dangers or
stressors. Individuals are often unaware of
these processes as they operate.

5.  •Affiliation - involves dealing with stressors by turning to others for help or support. This involves
sharing problems with others but not trying to make someone else responsible for them.
 •Altruism - involves dealing with stressors by dedicating yourself to meeting the needs of others. The
individual receives satisfaction vicariously or from the response of others.
 •Anticipation - involves dealing with stressors by anticipating the consequences and feelings
associated with possible future events and considering realistic solutions.
 •Humor - involves dealing with stress by emphasizing the amusing or ironic aspects of the situation.
 •Self-Assertion - involves dealing with stress by expressing your feelings and thoughts directly in a
way that is not aggressive, coercive, or manipulative.
 •Self-Observation - involves dealing with stress by reflecting on your own thoughts, feelings,
motivation, and behavior, and then responding appropriately.
 •Sublimation - involves dealing with stress by channeling potentially disruptive feelings or impulses
into socially acceptable behavior (e.g., playing rugby to channel angry impulses).
 •Suppression involves dealing with stress by intentionally avoiding thinking about disturbing
problems, wishes, feelings, or experiences.

6. •Displacement - involves dealing with stress by transferring strong feelings about on
situation onto another (usually less threatening) substitute situation.
•Dissociation - involves dealing with stress by breaking off part of memory,
consciousness, or perception of self or the environment to avoid a problem situation
(e.g., amnesia).
•Intellectualization - involves dealing with stress by excessively using abstract
thinking and generalizations to avoid or minimize unpleasant feelings.
•Reaction - Formation involves dealing with stress by substituting behavior, thoughts,
or feelings that are the exact opposite of your own unacceptable thoughts or feelings
(which the person is usually not aware of).
•Repression - involves dealing with stress by removing disturbing wishes, thoughts, or
experiences from conscious awareness. The person may still be aware of the feelings
associated with the repressed issue, but will not know where the feelings come from.
•Undoing - involves dealing with stress by using words or behaviors designed to
negate or make amends symbolically for unacceptable thoughts, feelings, or actions.