A defense mechanism is a way for the mind to protect us from being consciously aware of thoughts or feelings that are too difficult to tolerate. In other words, it allows the unconscious thought, feeling or fears to be expressed indirectly in some type of disguised form.
On this page, you will find links to pages explaining different psychological defense mechanisms and the ways to help the clients break through the same.
You know that feeling when someone is just protesting a little too much about something? Like that overly macho guy who can’t stop bragging about his conquests? Or the self-proclaimed fitness freak who obsessively criticizes anyone overweight? Chances are, you’ve
Introduction: When Blame is a Mirror Imagine John, a well-respected team leader known for his keen eye for detail and drive for perfection. However, behind closed doors, John often feels insecure about his own decisions, worrying they may not withstand
Anna always admired her boss, Tom, for his command over the room and his decisive manner. Though she initially disapproved of Tom’s often abrasive methods, she found herself increasingly mimicking his style – rebuking her colleagues with a sharp tongue,
Introduction: The Weight of a Parent’s Words Have you ever felt like you’re not being true to yourself? Like the thoughts and opinions you express aren’t really yours, but someone else’s? If so, you might be experiencing something called introjection.
Imagine Sarah, a vibrant woman known for her infectious laughter and boundless empathy. Yet, in the quiet moments, she feels an ocean widening between her and the world. Recent heartbreak has led her to an inner retreat, where emotions are
Introduction: The World Through a Fog Emily stood at the edge of a crowd, the sounds and sights around her blending into a distant hum. She watched the scene unfold as if through a thick fog, feeling removed, detached from
Introduction: When Stress Takes a Physical Stage Imagine Claire, an accomplished pianist, whose fingers have danced over keys since she was a child, creating melodies that sang of her life’s joys and struggles. Yet, as the date of her grandest
Introduction: The Dilemma of Dichotomy Meet Emma, a woman whose world is painted in stark contrasts. Her colleagues either adore her or, after the slightest mishap, become her sworn adversaries. Friends are angelic confidants until a canceled plan abruptly casts
Introduction: The Prodigy’s Hidden Struggle Let’s talk about Jack, the office prodigy, known for his impeccable financial analysis skills. On the surface, it seemed Jack had it all figured out, but beneath the veneer of success, there was a quiet
The Human Mind’s First Line of Defense Imagine the Human Mind, poised like a soldier within the Human Body. It seems that this tiny soldier is out to guard himself against all those things that he does not agree with,
Introduction In this post we will focus on understanding the psychological defense mechanism of Magical Undoing, along with the steps therapists can take to help client move beyond this defense. Magical Undoing: Examples Instance 1: When the teacher asked me
Intellectualization is a defense mechanism that many individuals employ to cope with challenging situations. In this article, we will delve into the concept of intellectualization, its purpose, potential problems associated with over-reliance on this defense mechanism, and how therapists can
Defense Mechanism of Regression: Case Study 11-years-old Raj had to relocate with his parents as his father received a job transfer. Distressed yet not in a position to oppose this happening, he dejectedly left behind his school and friends. Waking
Welcome to a comprehensive exploration of sublimation, a fascinating psychological defense mechanism. In this article, we will delve deep into the concept of sublimation, its historical roots, practical applications, and how therapists work with clients who use this mechanism. What
Introduction In this post, we will focus on understanding what is the psychological defense mechanism of displacement, why we use it, how it can lead to certain problems and the steps that a therapist can use to help the client
Repression and suppression are very similar defense mechanisms which people use in order for them to cope with a stimulus that can harm them. What is the Defense Mechanism of Suppression? Suppression is a psychological defense mechanism where an individual
A few days ago, a friend lost her cell phone. She kept looking for her phone (a good thing to do for some time) for like an eternity. After a point, I felt exhausted seeing the number of times she
Introduction At times, people go to great lengths to attempt to “justify” behaviour they know is wrong or that others regard as wrong. This attempt to justify is known as rationalization. We all have rationalized at some point in our
