{"id":705,"date":"2021-01-14T20:35:52","date_gmt":"2021-01-14T20:35:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fenixcounselling.com\/?p=705"},"modified":"2021-02-04T19:46:54","modified_gmt":"2021-02-04T19:46:54","slug":"defense-mechanisms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fenixcounselling.com\/srb\/defense-mechanisms\/","title":{"rendered":"Mehanizmi odbrane - Nezreli"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Collage: Nevena Kukoljac, Knockdown<\/i><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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<\/p>

What are defense mechanisms?<\/strong><\/p>

In psychology, defense mechanisms refer to certain behaviors that occur as a reaction to threats or discomfort from the outside, whether they come from situations or people. Chances are you\u2019ve used a few today already. Maybe a colleague showed up with a new piece of clothing that you thought looks ridiculous, and, unable to prevent your lips from stretching from one ear to the other, you said: \u201cWow, that looks gorgeous on you!\u201d. Better to smile than laugh at someone (reaction formation<\/b>)\u2026 Or maybe you know a very unpleasant conversation is brewing and you are thinking of ways it can go and what you can say (anticipation<\/b>). So, defense mechanisms are a way to lessen anxiety in a more or less acceptable way. <\/span><\/p>

There is no single approved classification of possible mechanisms. Here I will use Vaillant\u2019s list of 16 mechanisms divided into four levels (pathological, immature, neurotic, and mature) and focus on immature ones. The others will be discussed in later posts. <\/span><\/p>

What are immature defense mechanisms?<\/strong><\/p>

Immature defense mechanisms are used not only by young individuals, as the name would suggest, but by most adults as well. So, everyone uses them here and there; they only become socially undesirable and visible when used excessively. Among them, Vaillant mentions:<\/span><\/p>