Neurotic defense mechanism
Displacement
→ Shifting emotions about one object/ individual to another object/individual
→ Ex- After being scolded by father, the person goes and scolds his younger sibling
→ Displacement is involved in development of Phobias
Intellectualization
→ Use of intellectual process to avoid painful emotions
→ Ex- After diagnosis of Lung Cancer, the patient gets into discussion on pathophysiology with the doctor
Isolation of Affect
→ Removing the feelings associated with a stressful life event
→ Ex- Without showing any emotion telling family members that he has been diagnosed with Lung Cancer
Repression
→ Unconsciously forgetting something that cannot be retrieved later. Most Important & Primary Def Mech.
→ Ex- A young girl who is sexually abused by her teacher forgets the incident and cannot recall later
Rationalization
→ Offering rational explanations to justify own unacceptable behavior. [M/C in Substance Use disorders]
→ Ex- An alcoholic blaming his father for his habit of excessive drinking
Dissociation
→ Splitting of a single [Memory/Identity] or group of mental functions from other mental functions
→ Forms the basis of Dissociative identity disorder
Reaction Formation
→ Transforming of feelings into exact opposite
→ Ex – A man who is infatuated by an office colleague tells her that he hates her
Undoing
→ An act which is done to nullify a previous act. Forms the basis of Obsessive-Compulsive disorder
→ Ex – Husband brings gift for his wife the next day after having a fight with her
Aim Inhibition
→ Placing a limitation upon instinctual demands accepting a partial or modified fulfillment of desires
→ A Student who want to become doctor could not clear entrance and takes up veterinary course
