Defences and Resistance

 

In psychodynamic theory if there is a conflict between the person’s wishes and the external reality, defence mechanisms are used to reduce anxiety or to protect oneself from extreme discomfort or tension. These operate at unconscious level and help to maintain mental composure. In addition, defences distort reality and falsify experiences so they can be counterproductive if used persistently. Some of these defence mechanisms are very similar in nature and there can be an overlap between them. According to Freud these defences are normal part of personality development but they also restrict the functioning of the ego. In therapy, if these defences are brought to awareness, insight may happen and it can lead to change, because if the client is aware of these patterns, they have a choice to act on them and break the cycle and find more resources ways of coping.

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

Repression is a process when traumatic or painful experiences are pushed out of consciousness or forgotten, they may surface in dreams. Traumatic life events may trigger the re-emergence of these repressed experiences.

Resistance is a force which prevents unconscious material from becoming conscious. A resistant client might come late or behave in a reluctant or hostile way.

Denial protects the Ego from anxiety and stress and can also distort reality and prevent acceptance for example in grieving. An abused woman can experience denial in a domestic violence context. It can happen that they end up in an emergency denying the fact of being abused. They create stories of falling down the stairs or similar cover stories instead of facing the truth.

Rationalisation is used to explain personal problems by giving a rational explanation. For instance a cancer patient may read all the latest research findings about his condition and talk about all the scientific details, instead of talking about the real feelings.

Projection may happen when anxious discomfort is directed towards another person because it would be too painful to admit own faults.

Displacement occurs when unacceptable feelings or impulses such as anger are aimed at the wrong person (or thing) because the original or real target seems to be threatening to confront.

Reaction formation is the defence when one expresses conscious feelings or thoughts which are exactly the opposite of the unconscious one.

Introjection happens when others’ values are internalised. It can be positive as well as negative. A negative example would be when an abused child becomes an abusive adult, or when a person held captive identifies with the kidnapper which enables her to survive mentally.

Regression is when a person retreats to an earlier stage of development.

Humour can be used as a shield against painful reality, for example comedians often suffer from depression.

Bibliography:

Michael Jacobs, Psychodynamic Counselling in Action (Counselling in Action series) SAGE Publications Ltd; Fifth edition, 2017