Defense Mechanisms: Good, Bad, and Personal - Research Paper Example

Defense Mechanisms: Good, Bad, and Personal Abstract Defense mechanisms, made famous by psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud, encompass those behaviors that are employed by the mind to deal with situations that cannot be handled. Defense mechanisms are often automatic, learned in childhood, and can have both negative and positive connotations as well as consequences. Everyone, no matter how young, employs defenses against the harmful and/or hurtful things that pass through their lives, but how the defense mechanisms that are employed change throughout life often determines whether or not a person can be healthy and happy in certain situations, such as those requiring social graces and niceties. Through research and personal reflection, this paper focuses on what defense mechanisms are, how they affect the lives of people, negative and positive ways in which they are thought of, and the consequences that they have. Included in this paper are my own personal reflections about what defense mechanisms I possess, and how they have affected my life, in addition to how I try to deal with them in terms of the world around me. Introduction On a daily basis, people engage in what is known as defense mechanisms. Examples of these can range from a simple excuse to a superior at the workplace about an assignment, to more serious forms, such as an alcoholic pleading to a judge that they do not have a drinking problem, despite a lengthy arrest record showing otherwise. The consequences can hold just as large of a range as the mechanisms themselves, for while people are willing to forgive one or possibly two excuses, forgiveness will not last forever. All defense mechanisms, however, have one thing in common, which is that they give people a way to cope with the obstacles that are currently being faced in their lives, whatever they may be. The term defense mechanism was first coined by Sigmund Freud. The now-famous therapist and founder of psychoanalysis, through his research, explored a way of opening the mind and unlocking places within it that were previously thought inaccessible, termed the “unconscious (Jones, 1956). Through his work, he came to the conclusion that the mind does not function as a whole, but as separate entities that must function together for the good of the individual (Jones, 1956). In doing so, the mind developed ways and means, or mechanisms, for dealing with, or defending against, the problems, challenges, and obstacles that were thrown up before it (Jones, 156). As such, the mind helps the body to cope with the challenges it faces. Defense Mechanisms: What They Are and How They Work Defense mechanisms, as thought of by Freud, include those things which help people to better protect or “defend” against thoughts or actions against their person (Grohol, 2010). They also define how people distance themselves from the situations they are unable to cope with (Grohol, 2010). Most defense mechanisms are behaviors that are learned in childhood, when the mind is not fully mature and able to deal with challenges that arise, especially in emotional situations (Grohol, 2010). In employing defense, the mind can help itself by putting the problem on hold until it can deal with it (Grohol, 2010). Though this may not always be a good thing, it is invariably what can happen if someone is faced with a situation that they cannot deal with. Take, for example, a child whose parents are going through a divorce. The child may feel as though they are asked to choose, in essence, who they love more. To cope with this, and to avoid feeling like a ping-pong ball, the child employs the mechanism of denial, saying that their parents are not getting divorced, everything is fine, and they will all live happily ever after. Defense mechanisms can change just as people do. As people grow to maturity, though defense mechanisms may already be in place, they become less and less effective in the long term, as the mind attempts to evolve and learn (Grohol, 2010). Though adults may have defense mechanisms, even if they are ingrained at an early age, the mechanisms do not always work in the same way throughout their lifetime (Dombeck, 2004). They develop according to situations at hand, and though two people may possess the same defense mechanism, it cannot be denied that they will possess it in different ways, and possibly display widely different behaviors. Defense mechanisms are broadly categorized. They are usually grouped according to how primitive they are, or how early they develop in the mind (Dombeck, 2004). They range from the very primitive, including denial, regression and acting out, to mature mechanisms such as compensation and assertiveness (Grohol, 2010). In between lay such defense mechanisms as projection, dissociation, repression, and rationalization (Grohol, 2010). For example, a preschooler that is exhibiting regression may be feeling threatened and cast out by his parents due to the arrival of a sibling may be bedwetting and refusing to eat, go to school, or to perform normal, daily activities without assistance, though they did not need assistance before the arrival of the new sibling. They do not know how to express their feelings, but they know that they feel that no one pays attention to them, and they must do things that attract attention, even if they are considered “bad”. Or, in an example of acting out, a teenager that is being physically bullied and beaten up every day at school may start being violent with his siblings or his parents at home, in an attempt to deal with a situation that he feels he simply cannot handle. While these are very different examples, they both highlight defense mechanisms that must be addressed in order for both children to continue to mature in a healthy manner. Defense Mechanisms: The Personal Aspect I wish that, as a person, I could say that I had no defense mechanisms, but this simply would not be true. I have many, and they probably developed quite early. I consider myself to be very sensitive, both in what is said to me and what the world expects from me, as well as what I can do to help others. My biggest defense mechanism would most likely be intellectualization, if I had to put a name to it. When someone says something to me that hurts my feelings, I feel as though I am not able to respond to them in a way that would both accurately portray what I feel. Also, I am fearful of giving them an opportunity to “take another shot” at me, as the saying goes, and unfortunately I just do not have the defenses to deal with it. So, to help myself deal with whatever I heard that upset me, instead of using feelings to deal with it and try to sort it out, I employ all manner of strategies to just be able to get out of the situation and move on. I will listen to what others have to say, but if it hurts my feelings or does not help me to deal with a situation, I am more likely to be focused on just being able to leave and get away from the person, rather than confronting or engaging them in discussion. In truth, I would prefer it that way, and I prefer these defense mechanisms over others such as assertiveness, or undoing and compensation. I do not believe that I have done anything to compensate the other person for, and trying to undo it would only, in my opinion, feed their ego that they were “right” and I was “wrong”. Also, I am afraid that any assertiveness that I might display would come off as snobbish or stuck-up, or even narcissistic, and as such, I have developed the strategy of simply keeping my mouth shut and moving on. Even though I am sensitive, I also consider myself to be a very helpful person. Unfortunately, this does not always work in my favor. I often help people to the extent that I become overstretched and need help from others, which in turn makes me look as though I do not have control over my life, as well as being unable to manage my own time. To combat this, I believe I employ both denial and rationalization. I deny that I have too much on my plate while at the same time continuing to help others, and while doing so I go over the reasons, in my mind, why this person needs my help. Of course, the reasoning in looking at the situation objectively may not be true; however, I will continue to both deny that I have too much to do while rationalizing the reasons why it needs to be me, and not someone else, that are completing the tasks I am doing. I do not know how or why these defense mechanisms developed. I can only say that it has been this way for as long as I remember; I have always felt the extreme need to help others, while at the same time being fearful that I am not doing enough. Even though I know that this is not always (or even sometimes) the case, it does not stop me from jumping in and helping others, even at the cost of my own time and resources. The same thing is true with my sensitivity. I have always been sensitive, and though I have been told on occasion to “toughen up” or “get over it”, I find I simply cannot, and therefore must employ a defense mechanism simply to be able to function. People, to this point, have not noticed my defense mechanisms, though at times I am aware of them. Part of this may be due to the fact that I simply do not talk about it. As I said, I deny that I am overworked until it becomes impossible to deny it any longer, and therefore people probably do not notice simply because I am both always busy and working at something, or I just do not say anything. The same is true with my sensitivity. I believe the intellectualization is actually being mistaken for shyness. People think that I just do not form friendships easily or cannot talk to people, and therefore they do their best to engage me in conversation, without realizing that I really am just a sensitive person. Defense Mechanisms: Positive and Negative Defense mechanisms can be both positive and negative. Though the overwhelming majority of them are negative, there are positive mechanisms that can aid a person in bettering themselves. Examples of this include such things as understanding, acceptance, transference, and anticipation (Arndt, 2012). In employing understanding, a person can identify with another person through their situation, and offer helpful and/or friendly advice that may lead to a positive outcome (Arndt, 2012). In using acceptance, a person is able to recognize and understand a difficult situation, as well as overcome it, and therefore can heal or move on to a different stage in their life (Ardt, 2012). A good example of this is the death of a family or close friend. Though grief can be long and arduous to deal with, in the end, the person accepts the loss and begins to heal. Though things will never return to as they were before the death, the person can gain acceptance of the way things will be from then on. Other positive defense mechanisms include transference and anticipation. In employing transference, a person changes negative emotions into positive ones (Arndt, 2012). Though this may not work in all situations, it can be deeply helpful. For example, a person that is feeling put upon by their superiors at work may apply these feelings in different ways. Instead of harping to the entire office about their stress, the employee focuses all energies on their work, looking for a pat on the back for a job well done. When experiencing anticipation, a person tries their best to think of all likely outcomes, and prepare solutions for the outcomes, so that they are not caught unaware or off their guard, thereby needing to employ other defense mechanisms (Biederman, 2010). A good example of this is when a person considers their class schedule for college. They begin to think about not only what works best with their schedule, but also how to plan their classes so that they may fulfill other obligations that they are already committed to. Another example is planning a budget for a period of time, in which all factors such as what bills must be paid, having a reserve in case of emergency, and other measures must be taken into account. Even though some of the above mechanisms can have a negative connotation, by using them to their advantage, the person has thus engaged in a positive manner. Defense Mechanisms: The Consequences I believe that defense mechanisms can have both good and bad consequences. The consequences, like the mechanisms themselves, are wholly dependent on the person that is employing them and what the situation is. For example, someone who is anticipating a strike or work shortage may start saving early, so that when the shortage occurs, they are not bereft of money to tide them over. Likewise, if the work shortage and/or strike do not occur, they can then use that money for a different purpose that will still benefit them. In either method, the consequences are good. Unfortunately, far more attention is paid to the negative consequences of defense mechanisms than the positive. Take, for example, the person who has denied repeatedly that they have an addiction to alcohol or drugs. They will not seek help for themselves, and therefore the likeliest situation is that they will be ordered to seek help. Defense mechanisms can also have consequences that are not altogether healthy for the individual who is using or employing them. They often lead to situations being unresolved (Arndt, 2012). Relationships will undoubtedly suffer as well; defense mechanisms and relationships have had a love-hate relationship throughout history. While defense mechanisms are necessary to ensure that hurtful relationships are dealt with, engaging too much of a defense mechanism can lead to a solitary, lonely life (Dombeck, 2004). Though this may not have been the original intent, it is far too often what actually happens. Some defense mechanisms are so great that they may require professional help to overcome. In the situations of people with defenses that are deeply ingrained, behavioral or some sort of therapy may be needed. The good news is that, though defense mechanisms exist, they can be altered with therapy. In a 1998 study, seventeen patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and strong defense mechanisms were assisted through a course of brief psychotherapy and analysis (Albucher, Abelson & Nesse, 1998). The result was an improvement after the therapies offered as opposed to before, and the participants learned new ways of dealing with not only their condition, but with the defense mechanisms that were caused by it (Albucher, Abelson & Nesse, 1998). Though therapy is not always needed, or called for, people with either strong or deeply-held defenses may be wise to seek help in order to live a full and productive life. Can a Person Live Without Defense Mechanisms? I do not believe that it is possible to live without defense mechanisms. Throughout a lifetime, people will experience challenges that they are simply unable to cope with. These may be educational, work-related, or social situations. The mind is therefore employed to put defenses up, until the situation can be dealt with. For example, a child that is taunted and bullied could first put up defenses of denial, believing that everything is fine, and that things will right themselves, given enough time. As time goes on, however, they begin to employ other defenses, even going so far as rationalization, stating that they deserve to be bullied. In the end, however, the only thing that exists is a grown adult who is so terrified of those that appear stronger than them, that they are literally unable to function in social situations. Whenever someone offers them a compliment, they seek the negative about it. They wonder constantly what they will do wrong the next day to warrant the wrath of their colleagues, and do their best not to end up on the wrong side of their superiors. Things happen throughout the lives of humans that necessitate defense mechanisms. They are a part of the brain for a reason, which is to make sure that learning occurs by identifying and protecting against harmful, hurtful, or malicious situations (Dombeck, 2004). Defense mechanisms are a part of a human, and the human psyche overall, by being connected to the personality of each individual (Albucher, Abelson & Nesse, 1998). Therefore, it is reasonable to say that defense mechanisms are a part of the brain and body as much as the areas of the brain that control thought, movement, and speech. Without them, people would not be the same. Conclusion Defense mechanisms are a part of life, including my own. Though they can have both good and bad connotations and consequences, they are in fact necessary to both the human brain and the human personality. The essential component, I believe, is to learn from defense mechanisms and only employ them when absolutely necessary. In this manner, a person can control their life and the path that it takes, instead of allowing the mechanism to control them. References Albucher, R. C., Abelson, J. L., & Nesse, R. M. (1998). Defense mechanism changes in successfully treated patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry, 155(4), 558-559. Retrieved from http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/data/Journals/AJP/3687/558.pdf Arndt, J. (2012, March 28). Defense mechanisms. Retrieved from http://www.cignabehavioral.com/web/basicsite/bulletinBoard/defenseMechanisms.jsp Biederman, J. (2010, August 10). Psychological defenses. Retrieved from http://www.ar.cc.mn.us/biederman/courses/p1110/defenses.htm Dombeck, M. (2004, June 24). Personality disorders: Defense mechanisms. Retrieved from http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=4054 Grohol, J. (2010, October 30). 15 common defense mechanisms. Retrieved from http://psychcentral.com/lib/2007/15-common-defense-mechanisms/all/1/ Jones, E. (1956). Sigmund freud: Four cententary addresses. New York, NY: Basic Books. Retrieved from http://archive.org/stream/sigmundfreudfour00jone Read More