Defenses. Withdrawal especially.

http://www.guidetopsychology.com/ucs.htm

My defenses are becoming more conscious to me (stupid therapy ) and I wanted someplace to have this link so I'm putting it here to share and to have.

That would be me under "Defenses involving action". This affects my life on many levels at the moment. More now than usual because of work issues. I'm trying to hang in there, but I'd really like to completely withdraw. It's really hard to explore withdrawing in my therapy... when I want to withdraw from that too. And because it is so pervasive with me, so layered in scope and in intensity.

I just want to add that I don't agree with everything on the site of the link, but I generally find it very interesting.


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This person is just slightly off. For example, that's not what reaction formation is - he has that definition wrong. It's nice and convenient to have a summary of psychology all in one neat little place, but I wonder who this person really is. If maybe he wasn't the guy throwing up. He keeps talking about hating his job. so it might be a good starting point, but definitely Google your next topic. Ie if you find yourself getting upset over something he says, I would check it out.

Echoes, long time since I looked at that sight. On the whole I've found it a useful tool to help me identify my own unconscious.

I'm not sure what exactly is bothering you from your post. But I get the feeling you are in the midst of working through it to feel as you do. It's only in the midst do we feel stuck.

I have read that site and found it interesting. I still am not certain why intellectualization is not considered a good defense. That one always surprises me.

Hey Mr Spock don't forget your human side! Feeeeeeeelings!!

But really, interesting? The wrong def and the I hate my job and I studied so-and-so for ten years and asking for money and the feeling that he copied a lot out of a book without attribution kinda turned me off. Plus the site is too pretty. Makes me suspicious. Gets my back up!! Aside from that, I liked it....

Hankster, the author of the site is a psychologist.

Sorry, what are you referring to when you say "that's" not what a reaction formation?

Thanks earthmamma. I found the site early in my therapy and return to it from time to time when I have a need for something of depth.

I am at a place where I am noticing more about myself, and noticing that singular issues that are arising are highlighting the general ways I cope/avoid.

I agree, stopdog. I also think that withdrawal can be healthy as well.
Unless either is serving as a diversion from something we need to be aware of...

Sorry, my mistake.

??? I just didn't understand what you were referring to.

I had a reaction formation to his definition of reaction formation. Then I looked it up and I couldn't see how I could have misunderstood it. Just very weird. I keep picturing my former t/pdoc - that's not a good sign!

I like intellectualization also, myself. It is a good defense if your purpose is to avoid emotions And that is my purpose at times!

Thanks, Echoes, your article was interesting.

My T really notices what I say in session. For example, one session I started complaining about how I kept forgetting to do simple things at work, that it was so embarrassing. Later in the session, I was talking about how I had difficulty remembering him while he was gone, I mean like remembering who he is, like an object constancy thing, if that makes sense.

Anyway, he tied the two together, and I never would have. I thought it was really interesting. He did this again with another topic. I haven't figured out if there is a correlation between how I feel about one thing at work and how I felt about him while he was on vacation. But I think that this would be an example of referring to the subconsious/unconscious.