Psychoanalytic
theory proposes that during development defence strategies are used to mediate
between unconscious instinctual drives and the structures of outside reality.
The repertoire of
defences which an individual possesses dictates his character traits.
Defences occur as
part of normal development and everyday life:
they are not in
themselves pathological unless they become excessive or fail to maintain
adequate functioning of the individual. Defences may be classified according to
the libidinal phase at which they arise, or according to the psychopathology
with which they are associated, or whether they are basic or composite.
Repression
Given a central
position by Freud. Leads to inabilityto remember unpleasant wishes or impulses.
Common in hysterical, dissociative behaviour but may occur as part of other
defences, e.g. sublimation.
Displacement
Shifting of
emotion from one idea or object to another in a way that causes less anxiety
and guilt.
Reaction
formation
An unacceptable
impulse is transformed into its opposite. Common in obsessive compulsive
neurosis.
Isolation
Separation of an
idea from the affect which accompanies it.
Undoing
Attempts to cancel
out a previously committed act by counter actions. Characteristic of obsessive
compulsive states with
expiatory rituals
which attempt to undo some forbidden act or cancel the effects of a wish to
which has been attributed imaginary power of action.
Rationalisation
This provides alternative
explanation for instinctual motives and drives.
Intellectualisation
Excessive use of
intellectual processes to avoid affective experience.
Denial
May refer to the
affect associated with an idea or event or may include the whole episode.
Exclusion from conscious memory.
Projection
One's own feelings
and wishes are attributed to another person. Common in normals and fundamental in paranoid
psychosis.
Regression
A return to an
earlier state of psychological development in order to avoid tension and
conflict of the present. Common in normals under stress as well as in
pathological states.
Counterphobic
mechanisms
Attempt to
alleviate phobic anxieties by excessive activity in specific relation to the
area of concern.
Withdrawal
and avoidance
Removal of the
self from conflict situ. This may lead to a failure to resolve them.
Introjection
Qualities of a
loved oblect are iand the distinction between it and the self tends to be mini
mised or obliterated. This attempts to reduce painful awareness of separateness
and loss.
Identification
Usually with a
loved oblect: may also be dictated by guilt
Acting
out
The living out (in
action) of warded-off memories when the links between the action and the memory
are obscure to the patient.
Sublimation
Psychic energy is deflected to another goal which is more
acceptable to the individual concerned.