 Blocks To Success A WorkBook By Carl Weisbrod, Ph.D. ~ ~ ~ WDS Publishers |
Copyright
Information: This workbook, aka, Defense Mechanisms, The Blocks to
Success,
was originally copyrighted © in May, 1990 in association with Ruth Heidrich, Ph.D. of
the former Heidrich & Weisbrod Associates. It was converted into this html format in
March, 2007 as a companion to several audio cassette cassettes, which were converted
to mp3 files at the same time. Permission is granted for parts of this workbook to be
copied as required. It was designed, written, and recorded by Carl S. Weisbrod, Ph.D.
email: wdslibrary@gmail.com
Website: http://www.wdslibrary.com
PRODUCED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
was originally copyrighted © in May, 1990 in association with Ruth Heidrich, Ph.D. of
the former Heidrich & Weisbrod Associates. It was converted into this html format in
March, 2007 as a companion to several audio cassette cassettes, which were converted
to mp3 files at the same time. Permission is granted for parts of this workbook to be
copied as required. It was designed, written, and recorded by Carl S. Weisbrod, Ph.D.
email: wdslibrary@gmail.com
Website: http://www.wdslibrary.com
PRODUCED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Page - 1 - (The page numbers correspond with the
original workbook.)
Important: It's not possible to
complete this course without listening to
the audio recordings that are a companion to the
workbook.
Instructions:
It's important that both the workbook and the mp3 player remain on
the toolbar at the bottom of your computer screen.
You will need to print this workbook from page 3 through page 13. Please do not attempt to complete this program without providing a written response to each exercise.
This is the URL for the first mp3 recording: http://www.askcarl.net/BlocksOne.mp3
It's not linked so it can be copied to a separate browser window. Use: Ctrl+C to copy and in a new browser window use Ctrl+V. Then minimize this workbook by clicking the minus at the top-right of your screen (in Windows XP) [-][[]][X]. You can then toggle back and forth between the mp3 player and this workbook. Be sure you know how to pause your mp3 player.
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links at no additional charge. >Register
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You will need to print this workbook from page 3 through page 13. Please do not attempt to complete this program without providing a written response to each exercise.
This is the URL for the first mp3 recording: http://www.askcarl.net/BlocksOne.mp3
It's not linked so it can be copied to a separate browser window. Use: Ctrl+C to copy and in a new browser window use Ctrl+V. Then minimize this workbook by clicking the minus at the top-right of your screen (in Windows XP) [-][[]][X]. You can then toggle back and forth between the mp3 player and this workbook. Be sure you know how to pause your mp3 player.
|
If
the mp3 recordings refuse to play from your browser, it's most
likely a problem with your default player. The simple solution is to
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Page
-2- Blocks To Success
Important:
Please do not read ahead in this workbook. To do so would greatly
reduce the value of the exercises you will be following. It is
important to use the audio cassette tape recordings (now in mp3)
together with this workbook as you work through this program.
Page
-3- Blocks
To Success
Exercise A
Exercise A
Instructions: Briefly review the
following completion statement, but
do not complete it at this time. You will be given further
instructions with you return to your mp3 recording. (Be Sure you are
able to put your mp3 player on and off pause as you toggle between the
player and the workbook.)
"I am going to confront the following problem that I have, which is... _______________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________"
Now, turn your player back on and listen to further instructions by Dr. Weisbrod.
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________"
"I am going to confront the following problem that I have, which is... _______________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________"
Now, turn your player back on and listen to further instructions by Dr. Weisbrod.
Page
-4- Blocks
To Success
Exercise B
_______________________________________________________________________Exercise B
Instructions: Again, as in
Exercise A, read the following completion statement and then turn on
your player and Dr. Weisbrod will give you further instructions.
Elaborate on the problem you listed on page 3:
"My problem has the following characteristics: ___________________________________
Elaborate on the problem you listed on page 3:
"My problem has the following characteristics: ___________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________"
When completed,
again turn on your player.
Page
-5- Blocks
To Success
Exercise C
Exercise C
Instructions: Complete the
following statement.
"The problem I wrote about in exercise A & B (pages 3 & 4) would cease to exist if: ___
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________"
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________"
"The problem I wrote about in exercise A & B (pages 3 & 4) would cease to exist if: ___
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________"
When completed,
again turn on your player.
Page -6- Blocks To Success
Exercise D
_______________________________________________________________________Page -6- Blocks To Success
Exercise D
Instructions: The first part of
this Exercise D is to write down a a word or two that best expresses
the problem that you expressed on pages 3 and 4, and then complete the
sentence. Write as many reasons for the problem as you can think of.
"I have this ___________________________________ problem because ___________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
"I have this ___________________________________ problem because ___________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________"
Now, turn the player
back on and Dr. Weisbrod will explain Exercise E.
Page -7- Blocks To Success
Exercise E
Page -7- Blocks To Success
Exercise E
The following is the
age I have decided on based on the instructions Dr. Weisbrod has just
given me on the mp3 recording.
________ Years of Age
Turn the player back on.
Page -8- Blocks To Success
Exercise F
Pages - 14 - Blocks To Success
Appendix One
Turn the player back on.
Page -8- Blocks To Success
Exercise F
Instructions: you have just read
some information to the imaginary person that would be represented by
the
age you selected on page 7.
Would this be good and sound information that you would regularly present to the "younger-you?" [ ]Yes - No[ ]
Would this be good and sound information that you would regularly present to the "younger-you?" [ ]Yes - No[ ]
Please return to your mp3 player.
Page -9- Blocks To Success
Exercise G
Page -9- Blocks To Success
Exercise G
Instructions: in this exercise you
are being put in the position of deciding which of three life positions
best describes your relationship with the problem you are now dealing
with. Look at the three choices and decide which of the three best
describes how you have approached the problem at this time.
Decide if you...
1. have solved the problem?
[ ]Yes - No[ ]
2. have decided that the problem is something that must be accepted and forever lived with?
2. have decided that the problem is something that must be accepted and forever lived with?
[ ]Yes - No[ ]
3. have found reasons and/or
attitudes that seem to keep you locked into the problem?
[ ]Yes - No[ ]
Please return to your mp3 player.
Pages 10 & 11 Blocks To Success
Exercise DMRT
(Defense Mechanisms Recognition Text)
Pages - 12 - Blocks To Success
Exercise H
Please return to your mp3 player.
Pages 10 & 11 Blocks To Success
Exercise DMRT
(Defense Mechanisms Recognition Text)
Instructions: The questions are on
your mp3 recording and the answer choices are below. Go get your
pencil ready and turn on your mp3 player.
Return to your mp3 player and Dr. Weisbrod
will provide further instructions.| 1 [ ] Projection [ ] Regression [ ] Substitution [ ] Denial |
2 [ ] Undoing [ ] Identification [ ] Projection [ ] Conversion |
| 3 [ ] Denial [ ] Disassociation [ ] Absenting Oneself [ ] Isolation |
4 [ ] Compensation [ ] Rationalization [ ] Regression [ ] Suppression |
| 5 [ ] Regression [ ] Discounting [ ] Dramatization [ ] The first two |
6 [ ] Evading [ ] Procrastination [ ] Displacement [ ] All of the above |
| 7 [ ] Distorting [ ] Discounting [ ] Suppression [ ] All of the above |
8 [ ] Regression [ ] Magical Thinking [ ] Dramatization [ ] All of the above |
| 9 [ ] Absenting Oneself [ ] Distorting [ ] Evading [ ] All of the above |
10 [ ] Evading [ ] Magical Thinking [ ] Dramatization [ ] All of the above |
| 11 [ ] Intellectualization [ ] Regression [ ] Suppression [ ] None of the above |
12 [ ] Sublimation [ ] Undoing [ ] Identification [ ] Reaction Formation |
Pages - 12 - Blocks To Success
Exercise H
Instructions: Use this format to sum
up the information you have gained throughout the program. The is the final exercise for this
program.
List all the symptoms of the problem that you have dealt with in this workbook: ______
Now, write down the actual problem: ______________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
List some of the Defense Mechanisms that have blocked the solution to the problem: __
List all the symptoms of the problem that you have dealt with in this workbook: ______
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Now, write down the actual problem: ______________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
List some of the Defense Mechanisms that have blocked the solution to the problem: __
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Outline the
problem-solving process you plan to implement that will solve the
problem: _
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Pages
- 13 -
Looking at what you
have just written, do you think you still have a Defense Mechanism as part
of your problem-solving process? [ ]Yes - No[ ]
If [Yes], you must include the elimination of any and all Defense Mechanism(s) as part of your problem-solving process.
If [No], specify the time frame for the completion of the solution of this problem:
Also, specify the time you will need to spend each day to solve this problem:
If [Yes], you must include the elimination of any and all Defense Mechanism(s) as part of your problem-solving process.
If [No], specify the time frame for the completion of the solution of this problem:
______ [ ]days [ ]months [
]years.
Also, specify the time you will need to spend each day to solve this problem:
______ hours per day
Return to your mp3 player and Dr. Weisbrod
will provide further instructions.
Pages - 14 - Blocks To Success
Appendix One
Important: Read this section
only after you have been instructed to do so. Reading ahead will
reduce the value of the entire program.
The following article was written and copyrighted in 1986 by Carl Weisbrod. Reading it will help you understand the finer points of defense mechanisms.
Case Study: Joe as 54 and considered a real "man's man." He was a college sports hero, flew jet fighters in the Korean War, and was a very successful businessman. He took good care of himself; always stayed in good shape, held his weight down--only one problem--he smoked two packs of cigarettes a day. Since the 1960s his doctor would say to him, "Joe, you've got to quit smoking... your lungs aren't holding up very well." He would cut down for a while or try doing without a couple of days, but he continued to smoke. As his lungs and health deteriorated, he made more serious attempts at quitting; sometimes on his own and sometimes using commercial methods for kicking the habit.
Joe said to his physician (who was treating his chronic bronchitis), "Everything I try, if it works at all, doesn't work for long." After going to a psychologist who specialized in habit formation, he complained, "I knew more about smoking than that guy." As the months went by, his physician became more alarmed abut Joe's case. He tried everything he could think of to get Joe to get serious about quitting. He tried fear, threats, even quilt. At every appointment Joe seemed genuinely motivated to quit. He seem appropriately alarmed at his lab and x-ray reports. H listened intently to everything the doctor said and always left saying, "This time I'm through with cigarettes forever!" Time went by, however, and Joe continued to smoke.
Joe died six months later, a pack of cigarettes at his bedside.
Why does this kind of thing happen? Do you think it's a rare occurrence? It's not! In fact it's a constant occurrence! Joe was successful and really loved life. Are cigarettes that strong? ...or was Joe that weak? The answer is "no" to both; but before I explain, here is another depressing case study.
Case Study: Jane was a very intelligent lady. She came from good stock and had, at birth, all the physical attributes that could have made an athlete, a great beauty, or whatever she desired. At 32, however, she weighted 223 pounds. She had been sedentary and overweight all her life and she hated it. It affected her professional life as well as her physical energy level. In spite of this, she was a successful attorney.
But the time she was in her twenties, she had read every diet book written and tried every new diet that new idea that came along. Nothing worked for long. She would lose 10 to 20 pounds and then gain it all back. She was obsessed with her overweight condition, and fantasized constantly about being thin.
Finally, she attended private sessions with a therapist who had expertise in the dynamics of the overweight condition. He attempted to structure a program for Jane involving exercise, diet, and self-image development.
Unfortunately, she slowly slipped back into her old routine and, at the same time, became increasingly angry at her therapist. A year later, Jane's weight had increased to 247 pounds.
When most people read these brief case studied, they will consider these people to be either weak or self-destructive. Perhaps the thought is that the methods didn't work. Again, these assumptions are incorrect. The people are fine and the methods are not at fault. In fact this may surprise you): The better the method, the stronger will be the motivation to fail!
If that is true, why is that true? You will understand if you read on carefully.
The human being, as with all living things, is programmed to survive in our planet's environment. Even before conception there is some programming. Then at conception we start to become the person we will be. From birth, all the factors in your environment add to the programming already transmitted from your genes. You start to develop emotions, beliefs, and a concept of your self (self-image). All these things that make you who you are must have a chiseled-in-stone quality. If these traits and beliefs don't become locked in, you will be considered mentally unstable. Schizophrenia, for example, is a condition that manifests a lack of organization in the personality.
My next point is best made in the form of a question: "What happens if something becomes programmed, becomes the status quo, and that thing is undesirable?"
Our 1980s (Ed. note: also 1990s, etc.) environment is far removed from the 35,000 B.C. environment we were created for. For this reason, there are many built-in problems. What happens if we end up with a programmed situation that doesn't fit in with our long-term good?
Well, first we feel an internal conflict. Conflict, in this case, means that one side of the brain starts fighting with the other side. Then, since conflicts are usually painful, the mind automatically develops a system to reduce the pain. Since the status quo syndrome is powerful, the mind compromises with a process called the defense mechanism.
The longer we have the problem, the more devastating it is, the greater the pain of conflict, the stronger the defense mechanism has to be. Remember I said a few paragraphs previous: "The better the method, the stronger the resistance." Why? Because the very nature of the defense mechanism is to protect you from both the painful conflict, and any potential solutions. It's really quite a psychological trap!
That's why you can't frighten someone into, for example, quitting smoking. Fear will not produce long-term motivation. Instead, a stronger defense mechanism will develop.
Defense mechanism come in a variety of packages. Some are easy to identify, some aren't. A common defense that most people recognize is rationalization. You might think of rationalizations as excuses, but excuse is an over-simplification. When rationalizations are verbalized, the word "because" can often be found in the middle of the sentence.
Another commonly used defense mechanisms is called denial. Denial is a passive defense and is often difficult to recognize even for the person using it. Some people are able to shift responsibility through the projection. Projection means to blame something or someone else for our problems. Some use intellectualization. They even go to the extreme of earning college degrees attempting to cover up the defense mechanism with technical jargon.
I've defined and cataloged in my book, Conceptual Problem Solving, 23 types of defense mechanisms, and there are more than that.
When you decide to deal with any problem that involves mental conflict, there will always be defense mechanism blocking the solution. Just wanting badly to solve the problem is not enough to release the defense mechanism. As long as the problem is protected by the defense mechanism, it can never be solved. Unless all the defense mechanisms are clearly identified and dealt with, working on methods for solutions will be a frustrating experience doomed to failure.
A most common uncomfortable experience is to have your defense mechanisms identified and discussed. When this happens, people giggle, squirm, fold their arms over their chest, go blank mentally, become angry, nitpick, need to go the the bathroom, argue with the therapist, and even bolt from a therapy session. It often becomes an uncomfortable for therapist and patient that the subject is dropped and the issue of defense mechanisms never again surfaces. If this happens, it is very unfortunate.
The following article was written and copyrighted in 1986 by Carl Weisbrod. Reading it will help you understand the finer points of defense mechanisms.
Case Study: Joe as 54 and considered a real "man's man." He was a college sports hero, flew jet fighters in the Korean War, and was a very successful businessman. He took good care of himself; always stayed in good shape, held his weight down--only one problem--he smoked two packs of cigarettes a day. Since the 1960s his doctor would say to him, "Joe, you've got to quit smoking... your lungs aren't holding up very well." He would cut down for a while or try doing without a couple of days, but he continued to smoke. As his lungs and health deteriorated, he made more serious attempts at quitting; sometimes on his own and sometimes using commercial methods for kicking the habit.
Joe said to his physician (who was treating his chronic bronchitis), "Everything I try, if it works at all, doesn't work for long." After going to a psychologist who specialized in habit formation, he complained, "I knew more about smoking than that guy." As the months went by, his physician became more alarmed abut Joe's case. He tried everything he could think of to get Joe to get serious about quitting. He tried fear, threats, even quilt. At every appointment Joe seemed genuinely motivated to quit. He seem appropriately alarmed at his lab and x-ray reports. H listened intently to everything the doctor said and always left saying, "This time I'm through with cigarettes forever!" Time went by, however, and Joe continued to smoke.
Pages
- 15 -
One day after a particularly rough
bout with what Joe thought was bronchitis, his doctor walked in the
examining room with his latest test results. Before the doctor had a
chance to say anything, Joe said, "I know, I know, I"ve got to quit
these damn cigarettes." Just the look on the doctor's face gave Joe the
message. It didn't make much difference ...anymore.Joe died six months later, a pack of cigarettes at his bedside.
Why does this kind of thing happen? Do you think it's a rare occurrence? It's not! In fact it's a constant occurrence! Joe was successful and really loved life. Are cigarettes that strong? ...or was Joe that weak? The answer is "no" to both; but before I explain, here is another depressing case study.
Case Study: Jane was a very intelligent lady. She came from good stock and had, at birth, all the physical attributes that could have made an athlete, a great beauty, or whatever she desired. At 32, however, she weighted 223 pounds. She had been sedentary and overweight all her life and she hated it. It affected her professional life as well as her physical energy level. In spite of this, she was a successful attorney.
But the time she was in her twenties, she had read every diet book written and tried every new diet that new idea that came along. Nothing worked for long. She would lose 10 to 20 pounds and then gain it all back. She was obsessed with her overweight condition, and fantasized constantly about being thin.
Finally, she attended private sessions with a therapist who had expertise in the dynamics of the overweight condition. He attempted to structure a program for Jane involving exercise, diet, and self-image development.
Pages
- 16 -
During
her sessions she always felt uneasy and would become argumentative. She
frequently "found it necessary" to cancel and change her appointments
and was often arrived late. When her therapist asked her to make
changes in her lifestyle, the requests seemed impossible. Even so, at
first she did her best and was able to see improvement.Unfortunately, she slowly slipped back into her old routine and, at the same time, became increasingly angry at her therapist. A year later, Jane's weight had increased to 247 pounds.
When most people read these brief case studied, they will consider these people to be either weak or self-destructive. Perhaps the thought is that the methods didn't work. Again, these assumptions are incorrect. The people are fine and the methods are not at fault. In fact this may surprise you): The better the method, the stronger will be the motivation to fail!
If that is true, why is that true? You will understand if you read on carefully.
The human being, as with all living things, is programmed to survive in our planet's environment. Even before conception there is some programming. Then at conception we start to become the person we will be. From birth, all the factors in your environment add to the programming already transmitted from your genes. You start to develop emotions, beliefs, and a concept of your self (self-image). All these things that make you who you are must have a chiseled-in-stone quality. If these traits and beliefs don't become locked in, you will be considered mentally unstable. Schizophrenia, for example, is a condition that manifests a lack of organization in the personality.
Pages
- 17 -
So,
my first point is that it is essential to have a locked-in personality
structure to function properly. It's not good bad right or wrong, but
simply the way it has to be for survival. The technical term for this
is homeostasis. I use the phrase "the status quo syndrome." Status quo
means to keep all things the same.My next point is best made in the form of a question: "What happens if something becomes programmed, becomes the status quo, and that thing is undesirable?"
Our 1980s (Ed. note: also 1990s, etc.) environment is far removed from the 35,000 B.C. environment we were created for. For this reason, there are many built-in problems. What happens if we end up with a programmed situation that doesn't fit in with our long-term good?
Well, first we feel an internal conflict. Conflict, in this case, means that one side of the brain starts fighting with the other side. Then, since conflicts are usually painful, the mind automatically develops a system to reduce the pain. Since the status quo syndrome is powerful, the mind compromises with a process called the defense mechanism.
The longer we have the problem, the more devastating it is, the greater the pain of conflict, the stronger the defense mechanism has to be. Remember I said a few paragraphs previous: "The better the method, the stronger the resistance." Why? Because the very nature of the defense mechanism is to protect you from both the painful conflict, and any potential solutions. It's really quite a psychological trap!
That's why you can't frighten someone into, for example, quitting smoking. Fear will not produce long-term motivation. Instead, a stronger defense mechanism will develop.
Defense mechanism come in a variety of packages. Some are easy to identify, some aren't. A common defense that most people recognize is rationalization. You might think of rationalizations as excuses, but excuse is an over-simplification. When rationalizations are verbalized, the word "because" can often be found in the middle of the sentence.
"I'm overweight because I eat too much."
"I smoke cigarettes because I'm addicted."
Pages - 18 -
Defense
mechanisms make complete sense to the person using them, but they are
either half-truths or complete fabrications. A defense mechanism
process can also draw upon selected information or misinformation that
seems to justify the existence of a problem."I smoke cigarettes because I'm addicted."
Pages - 18 -
Another commonly used defense mechanisms is called denial. Denial is a passive defense and is often difficult to recognize even for the person using it. Some people are able to shift responsibility through the projection. Projection means to blame something or someone else for our problems. Some use intellectualization. They even go to the extreme of earning college degrees attempting to cover up the defense mechanism with technical jargon.
I've defined and cataloged in my book, Conceptual Problem Solving, 23 types of defense mechanisms, and there are more than that.
When you decide to deal with any problem that involves mental conflict, there will always be defense mechanism blocking the solution. Just wanting badly to solve the problem is not enough to release the defense mechanism. As long as the problem is protected by the defense mechanism, it can never be solved. Unless all the defense mechanisms are clearly identified and dealt with, working on methods for solutions will be a frustrating experience doomed to failure.
A most common uncomfortable experience is to have your defense mechanisms identified and discussed. When this happens, people giggle, squirm, fold their arms over their chest, go blank mentally, become angry, nitpick, need to go the the bathroom, argue with the therapist, and even bolt from a therapy session. It often becomes an uncomfortable for therapist and patient that the subject is dropped and the issue of defense mechanisms never again surfaces. If this happens, it is very unfortunate.
Pages
- 19 -
Remember, unless the
defense mechanism is identified and eliminated, the problem is never
solved.
As one example; the most heavily defended problem in our society is the chronic, long-term, overweight person must absorb negative stimuli from every direction. The overweight person must absorb negative stimuli from every direction. This negative input is constant and unrelenting. Being overweight is not just a physical handicap, but a social one as well. The point this brings up is that without the defense mechanism, the overweight person would be emotionally immobilized. This is one reason they have a difficult time recognizing and letting go of their defenses, even in therapy.
Because of this resistance factor, very few therapists (physicians or psychologists) are eager to deal with this chronic condition. When a therapist does specialize in this area, their no-show and cancellation rate can be over fifty percent. Consequently the success rate is always quite low.
If you really want to solve a problem, any problem, you must have the courage to recognize you defense mechanisms. It's essential to identify the ones you are using, and go through the uncomfortable experience of letting them go ...forever. There is no other way!
As one example; the most heavily defended problem in our society is the chronic, long-term, overweight person must absorb negative stimuli from every direction. The overweight person must absorb negative stimuli from every direction. This negative input is constant and unrelenting. Being overweight is not just a physical handicap, but a social one as well. The point this brings up is that without the defense mechanism, the overweight person would be emotionally immobilized. This is one reason they have a difficult time recognizing and letting go of their defenses, even in therapy.
Because of this resistance factor, very few therapists (physicians or psychologists) are eager to deal with this chronic condition. When a therapist does specialize in this area, their no-show and cancellation rate can be over fifty percent. Consequently the success rate is always quite low.
If you really want to solve a problem, any problem, you must have the courage to recognize you defense mechanisms. It's essential to identify the ones you are using, and go through the uncomfortable experience of letting them go ...forever. There is no other way!
Pages
- 20 - Blocks
To Success
Appendix Two
Appendix Two
Do
not read this section until you are instructed to do so. Reading ahead
will reduce the value of this program.
The following catalog of Defense Mechanisms was reproduced from Carl Weisbrod's 1981 book, Conceptual Problem Solving. Section III, Chapter 7.
The following catalog of Defense Mechanisms was reproduced from Carl Weisbrod's 1981 book, Conceptual Problem Solving. Section III, Chapter 7.
Defense
Mechanisms
Defense mechanisms
are psychological devices used by individuals to defend against painful
or unpleasant feelings, thoughts, and conflicts. Defenses are helpful,
at times in daily living, and are certainly used by well functioning
adults. However, using defense mechanisms to excess will likely block a problem solving processes. It's an exercise in futility to attempt to talk someone out of their well-entrenched defense mechanisms.
In nearly one-hundred percent of the cases, the mentally ill, or those with personality disorders, are found to excessively use defense mechanisms. Being aware of the structure of defense mechanisms will automatically reduce the cognitive strength. That can happen even through a basic glossary listing. Also recognizing defense mechanisms is a great aid in understanding conflicts, fears and thought processes in others--communication skills can be enhanced through this knowledge.
The following is a fairly comprehensive glossary of defense mechanisms. The asterisks "*" indicate the more commonly used.
Absenting Oneself: (the "20-foot stare in the 10-foot room" phenomenon.) Tuning oneself out to avoid painful visual or auditory stimuli at a specific moment with a transaction
Amnesia: Loss of recall ability in order to avoid painful memories.
*Compensation: Compensating for feelings of inadequacy or inferiority by accelerating or developing talents or abilities in order to receive esteem or acclaim; in a morbid sense, developing unrealistic fantasies or excessive daydreaming., often with an excess amount of aggressive behavior but without useful actions.
In nearly one-hundred percent of the cases, the mentally ill, or those with personality disorders, are found to excessively use defense mechanisms. Being aware of the structure of defense mechanisms will automatically reduce the cognitive strength. That can happen even through a basic glossary listing. Also recognizing defense mechanisms is a great aid in understanding conflicts, fears and thought processes in others--communication skills can be enhanced through this knowledge.
The following is a fairly comprehensive glossary of defense mechanisms. The asterisks "*" indicate the more commonly used.
Absenting Oneself: (the "20-foot stare in the 10-foot room" phenomenon.) Tuning oneself out to avoid painful visual or auditory stimuli at a specific moment with a transaction
Amnesia: Loss of recall ability in order to avoid painful memories.
*Compensation: Compensating for feelings of inadequacy or inferiority by accelerating or developing talents or abilities in order to receive esteem or acclaim; in a morbid sense, developing unrealistic fantasies or excessive daydreaming., often with an excess amount of aggressive behavior but without useful actions.
Pages
- 21 -
Conversion: Immobilizing motor
or sensory activities in order to block the activation of a disturbing
wish or desire.
*Denial: Ignoring or refusing to perceive unacceptable wishes, impulses, feeling and thoughts, and, in some cases, external realities.
Displacement: Accelerating focus in an area acceptable to the individual as a substitute for impulses that are not acceptable; often compulsive.
Disassociation: Fragmenting one's personality structure so that they can segregate themselves from an intense emotional conflict (multiple personalities).
Distorting: Altering of people, ideas, memories, situations and things to a more acceptable non-reality.
*Evading: Avoiding facing the truths of unwanted responsibilities.
Identification: In a positive sense, unconsciously identifying with certain abilities or qualities admired in someone else; negatively, identifying with hostile behaviors of others that are feared within oneself.
Interjection: Unconsciously adopting the total image of another person either because of an intense desire to be like the other person, or, in psychotic situations, to destroy the other person.
*Isolation: Separation Separating ideas and emotions whereby the idea becomes conscious and the emotion remains suppressed.
Intellectualization: Excessively using intellectual semantics as a shield against admitting to painful emotions.
*Magical Thinking: Believing that problems will disappear or be magically dissolved without the use of a problem-solving process.
*Procrastination: To avoid facing a conflict by delaying a decision or action.
*Projection: Projecting the blame for an emotional problem onto other people of objects to avoid responsibility.
Cliche'isms: ____________________________________________________________________
*Denial: Ignoring or refusing to perceive unacceptable wishes, impulses, feeling and thoughts, and, in some cases, external realities.
Displacement: Accelerating focus in an area acceptable to the individual as a substitute for impulses that are not acceptable; often compulsive.
Disassociation: Fragmenting one's personality structure so that they can segregate themselves from an intense emotional conflict (multiple personalities).
Distorting: Altering of people, ideas, memories, situations and things to a more acceptable non-reality.
*Evading: Avoiding facing the truths of unwanted responsibilities.
Identification: In a positive sense, unconsciously identifying with certain abilities or qualities admired in someone else; negatively, identifying with hostile behaviors of others that are feared within oneself.
Interjection: Unconsciously adopting the total image of another person either because of an intense desire to be like the other person, or, in psychotic situations, to destroy the other person.
*Isolation: Separation Separating ideas and emotions whereby the idea becomes conscious and the emotion remains suppressed.
Intellectualization: Excessively using intellectual semantics as a shield against admitting to painful emotions.
*Magical Thinking: Believing that problems will disappear or be magically dissolved without the use of a problem-solving process.
*Procrastination: To avoid facing a conflict by delaying a decision or action.
*Projection: Projecting the blame for an emotional problem onto other people of objects to avoid responsibility.
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Reaction
Formation: A rather
hypocritical tendency to overtly take a rigid stand on an issue when
the covert desire is the opposite.
*Rationalization: A face-saving excuse to explain an undesirable behavior or action, motivated subconsciously.
*Regression: Moving back to infantile levels of behavior when unable to cope on an adult level.
*Repression: Totally blocking off the recall ability of specific traumatic events, usually occurring in childhood.
Sublimation: Substituting a socially activity for one that is socially unacceptable.
Suppression: An attempt at conscious blocking of painful thoughts or emotions--as opposed to the unconscious blocking in repression.
*Undoing: Believing that a negative thought or action can be canceled by a positive thought or action.
Return to the mp3 recording for further instructions. Dr. Weisbrod will provide you with the definitions for the following defense mechanisms. This will bring this glossary up-to-date.
Dramatization: _________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Discounting: ___________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
*Rationalization: A face-saving excuse to explain an undesirable behavior or action, motivated subconsciously.
*Regression: Moving back to infantile levels of behavior when unable to cope on an adult level.
*Repression: Totally blocking off the recall ability of specific traumatic events, usually occurring in childhood.
Sublimation: Substituting a socially activity for one that is socially unacceptable.
Suppression: An attempt at conscious blocking of painful thoughts or emotions--as opposed to the unconscious blocking in repression.
*Undoing: Believing that a negative thought or action can be canceled by a positive thought or action.
Return to the mp3 recording for further instructions. Dr. Weisbrod will provide you with the definitions for the following defense mechanisms. This will bring this glossary up-to-date.
Dramatization: _________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Discounting: ___________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Cliche'isms: ____________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________