2. Every individual will have certain aims or goals in
his/her life to lead a fairly comfortable and
productive life. When their felt needs are fulfilled
automatically gratification will occur and balance in
human life will result.
A person may not succeed and reach his goals
according to his desires and efforts because of his
unfavorable situations or limited capacities of the
individual . He/she will use certain methods to cope
up with the situation or to face the situation, to
overcome the hurdles or barriers.
3. If he is unable to use properly and fails to
achieve said goals or target , it may lead to
distress or imbalance in life. Healthy persons
normally use different defenses throughout
life. An defense mechanism become
pathological only when its persistent use
leads to maladaptive behavior such that the
physical and/or mental health of the
individual is adversely affected.
4. This theory is given by Sigmund Freud . In
1923, he divided the mental apparatus into 3
dynamic structures i.e the id, the ego and the
super-ego.
5.
6.
7.
8. It is unconscious subdivision of mental
apparatus that develops from the ego. It is
specially concerned with moral standards. It is
the internalized societal and parental standards
of “good and bad” behavior. The superego forms
as the child grows. The superego consists of two
structures: the conscience, which stores
information about what is "bad" and what has
been punished and the ego ideal, which stores
information about what is "good" and what one
"should" do
9.
10.
11.
12. When anxiety becomes too
overwhelming, it is then the place of
the ego to employ defense
mechanisms to protect the
individual. Feelings of guilt,
embarrassment and shame often
accompany the feeling of anxiety.
The anxiety is felt as an increase in
bodily or mental tension and the
signal that the organism receives in
this way allows it the possibility of
taking defensive action towards the
perceived danger. Defense
mechanisms work by unconscious
or conscious blockage of these
impulses.
13. Defense mechanism is a pattern of
adjustment through which an individual
relieves or decreases anxieties caused by
an uncomfortable situation that threatens
self esteem
Defense mechanisms as unconscious
processes that defend a person against
anxiety. They protect against external
threats or against internal anxiety-arousing
impulses by distorting reality. (Freud)
14. Used by almost all individuals in the process of
adjustment ,exhibited in the everyday behavior.
These are said to be the essential elements of
human life.
The same individual may use varied mechanisms
simultaneously as per his need.
These defense mechanisms will be used at all
levels of the mind either consciously or
unconsciously but usually acts at the unconscious or
sub conscious level to compromise solutions.
15. It reduces anxiety, fear ,
tension, frustration and
emotional distress
The individual will feel
secure when adjustment
mechanisms are in use.
Maintains balance and
molds the personality of
the individual.
16. Defense mechanisms are HEALTHY
only when –
In frequent use
Protects self-esteem against
psychological dangers
Forms acceptable behavior
Able to positively the external world
17. Defense mechanisms are UNHEALTHY
when -
Unable to modify abnormal behavior
Away from reality
If it interferes with maintaining the self
image
Develops inferiority feeling, insecurity
and lacks self confidence.
18. They protect the individual against psychological threats
related to ego.
Reduce the stress and anxiety caused by frustration and
conflict by using devices.
Preserves inner harmony and helps the individual to
make adaptation to distressing experiences.
Maintains self-respect ,self-image and self-esteem.
To find justification in realistic ways for problem
salvation
19. To lead more comfortable and happy life
Provides occasions for modify self
Diverts individual’s mind in new activities.
Provides “psychic energy” in keeping
unwanted thoughts away from awareness.
20.
21.
22. The mechanisms on this level, when
predominating, almost always are severely
pathological. These are the "psychotic"
defenses, common in overt psychosis. However,
they are found in dreams and throughout
childhood as well.
23. Refusal to accept external reality or
existence of real world because it is
too threatening; arguing against an
anxiety-provoking stimulus by
stating it doesn't exist; resolution of
emotional conflict and reduction of
anxiety by refusing to perceive.
Example—men drinks alcohol
every day and cannot stop, failing
to acknowledge that he has a
problem
24.
25.
26.
27. These mechanisms are often present in adults, lessen
distress and anxiety provoked by threatening people or
by uncomfortable reality. People who excessively use
such defenses are seen as socially undesirable in that
they are immature, difficult to deal with and seriously out
of touch with reality. These are the so-called "immature"
defenses and overuse almost always leads to serious
problems . These defenses are often seen in severe
depression and personality disorders.
28. Direct expression of an
unconscious wish or
impulse in action, without
conscious awareness of
the emotion that drives
that expressive behavior.
Eg. Destruction of
property in a fit of rage or
expression of anger and
emotions by throwing
articles in room.
29. It is a kind of withdrawing reaction and pleasant
thing. It is both an escape and compensatory
mechanism. Withdrawal into self to gratify
frustrated or unfilled wishes by fantasy where he
need not face the real problems. It is a sign of
maladjustment only when it is excessively used
as it wastes much of an individual’s time and the
person gets far away from the reality.
Eg. In real life a person does not get success,
then he tries to feel success in his own mind by
imagination and derive satisfaction without
putting efforts.
30.
31. Projection is a very popular method of resolving conflict.
One’s own thoughts and feelings are expressed as if
they are due to others.
Eg. a girl feels strong attraction towards her coach and
tells her friend that he is coming onto her. The person
who blames other person for his own mistakes is using
projection mechanism.
32. Unconsciously choosing to perceive
another individual as having more positive
qualities than he or she may actually have
33.
34.
35.
36.
37. Defenses have short-term advantages in
coping, but can often cause long-term
problems in relationships, work and in
enjoying life when used as one's primary
style of coping with the world.
These mechanisms are considered
neurotic, but fairly common in adults.
38. : Defense mechanism that shifts
feelings mostly aggressive
impulses to a more acceptable
or less threatening target;
redirecting emotion to a safer
outlet in order to avoid dealing
directly with what is frightening
or threatening.
For example, a mother may yell
at her child because she is
angry with her husband.
39.
40.
41.
42. Involuntary splitting or suppression of a
mental function or a group of functions
from rest of the personality that allows
expression of forbidden unconscious
impulses without having any sense of
responsibility for actions. Eg. Near death
experience
43. An excessive
preoccupation or worry
about having a serious
illness. It is an unconscious
transformation of
unacceptable impulses into
inappropriate somatic
concern.
E.g.. A child started feeling
that he is having headache
when asked to start study.
44.
45. An attempt to avoid expressing actual emotions
associated with a stressful situation by using
intellectual processes of logic, reasoning and analysis,
so as to distance oneself from the associated anxiety-
provoking emotions; separation of emotion from
ideas. Eg. Some one’s husband is being transferred to
a city far away from her parents. She hides her
anxiety by explaining her parents the advantages
associated with the move.
46. Separation of feelings or emotions
from ideas and events associated
with them.
for example: describing a murder
with graphic details with no
emotional response or
a young woman describes being
attacked and raped without showing
any emotions.
47. Attempting to formulate logical reasons to
justify unacceptable feelings or behavior. An
indicator of this defense mechanism can be
seen socially as the formulation of convenient
excuses - "making excuses".
Eg. an individual postpones his difficult work
and do the easy one excusing that the easy
work was more important. A phrase ‘grapes
are sour’ is another example of rationalization
48. Preventing unacceptable or undesirable
thought or behaviors from being expressed by
exaggerating opposite thoughts or types of behavior.
Behavior is completely the opposite of what one really
wants or feels. This defense can work effectively for
coping in the short term, but will eventually break down.
Eg: a women does not like her mother in law but appreciate
her in front of others.
Jane hates nursing and joined it to please her parents.
During career day she speaks to other students about
excellence of nursing as a career.
49.
50.
51. Process of pulling thoughts
into the unconscious and
preventing painful or
dangerous thoughts from
entering consciousness. Or
involuntarily blocking
unpleasant feelings and
experiences from one’s
awareness. Eg an accident
victim can remember nothing
about the accident.
52. A person tries to 'undo' an unhealthy,
destructive or otherwise threatening
thought by engaging in contrary
behavior. Symbolically negotiating or
canceling out an experience that one
find intolerable.
Eg: joe is nervous about his new job
and yells at his wife. On his way home
he stops and buys her some flowers to
please her.
53. These are commonly found among emotionally healthy
adults and are considered mature, even though many have
their origins in an immature stage of development. They
have been adapted through the years in order to optimize
success in life and relationships. The use of these defenses
enhances pleasure and feelings of control. These defenses
help us integrate conflicting emotions and thoughts, while still
remaining effective. Those who use these mechanisms are
usually considered virtuous.
54. : Overt expression of ideas
and feelings (especially those
that are unpleasant to focus
on or too terrible to talk about)
in a manner which does not
produce unpleasantness in
self or others and that gives
pleasure to others. An
universal phenomenon.
55. The unconscious modeling of one's
self upon another person's character
and behavior. OR An attempt to
increase self worth by acquiring
certain attributes and characteristics
of an individual one’s admire. Eg: a
teenaged boy decides to become a
physiotherapist after long
rehabilitation after an accident.
56.
57.
58. Identifying with some idea or
object so deeply that it
becomes a part of that person.
Integrated the beliefs and
values of another individual into
one’s own ego structure.
Eg: child integrate the parents
value system into the process
of conscience formation. A
child says to his friend “do not
cheat its wrong”
59.
60.
61. Rechannelising of drives or impulses
that are personally or socially
inacceptable into activities that are
acceptable.
Eg a person with increased sexual
drives channelize his energy in
painting or poetry.
62.
63. The conscious process of or voluntary
pushing thoughts or feelings into the
preconscious; the conscious decision to
delay paying attention to an emotion or
need in order to cope with the present
reality. As we said ‘ I don’t want to think
about it now , I will think about it later
64. It is a kind of withdrawl from
an unpleasant location or
place. Eg when a person
faces severe frustration in
one place , he feels that the
place is responsible for the
source of frustration and will
try to move from that place to
get relief from that feeling.
65.
66. The person will use this mechanism when
he is unsuccessful in one direction or field,
to minimize the frustration due to lack of
success the individual may try some other
way out to overshadow the weakness and
makes up for personal lack .
Eg a boy wanted to become a footballer
but his dream shattered after an accident
but he compensates it by becoming a
good teacher.
67. It is a mechanism which may be
employed to reduce tension
resulting from frustration , the
individual chooses some substitutive
action which must have certain
similarities to the frustrated one.
Eg: a student who has not been able
to get admission to the M.B.B.S may
try to substitute it with a course of
physiotherapy.
68.
69.
70. In this the image if a person is
unconsciously identified with that of
the other. As a person who is fond
of his daughter find a nurse of the
same age and height as his
daughter. So he transfers his
positive emotions to the nurse as
his daughter. It is also possible that
if he dislikes her daughter he may
transfer his negative emotions to
the nurse by being rude, abusive or
aggressive
71. Knowledge of defense
mechanisms is very
important for a psychiatry
nurse. It makes them aware
that all of us uses defense
mechanisms to overcome
conflicts, anxiety and
stressful situation in our daily
life. Firstly, nurses have to
understand their nature,
levels of adjustment and the
factors influencing their
behavior so that they can
take necessary steps to
improve their self image
72. . The nurse can understand the behavior of
the client and factors associated with it. She
can act as a counselor, supporter and advisor
to guide them to solve their stressful
problems. She can assist the person in
modifying his maladaptive behavior and
helps the client and the family members to
lead a satisfactory and productive life which
prevents mental illness of individual, family
and community in general.
