The four levels of psychological defense mechanisms
Level 1 – “Psychotic” Mechanisms
These mechanisms are common in “healthy” children up to the age of 5, but also in the dreams and fantasies of adults. For those who apply them, these mechanisms can alter reality. To the onlooker, they appear to be “crazy”. We often cannot change them by traditional psychotherapeutic explanations; but we can change them by changing reality (like taking Thorazine, eliminating stress, maturation). In therapy, providing strong interpersonal support or allowing the person to directly confront the reality of what is being ignored can cause the applier to temporarily abandon them.
1. Delusional Projection (DelusionalProjection) – Straightforward delusions about external reality, often of a victimized nature.
It consists of experiencing one’s own feelings in others and acting on such perceptions (e.g., rich delusions of victimization) or perceiving others or their feelings within oneself (literally) (e.g., agitated depressive patients claiming that “the devil is eating my heart”). reality. It differs from distortion in its lack of desire for satisfaction, and from introjection in that it still projects internal feelings that have already been acknowledged. The delusional projection of the toxic psychopath is able to organize together many confused perceptions that are apparently different.
2. Denial (Denial) —- denies external reality.
Denial is directed at external reality and, unlike repression, is less likely to affect internal reality (an example of repression affecting the internal is: “I am not angry”). It also includes those fantasies that serve as the main stand-in for someone, especially someone who has been lost (an example of denial is, “I can create a new him in my own mind”).
3. Distortion (Distortion) —- reshapes the image of an external reality in order to fit the inner needs.
It includes: unrealistic exaggerated ideas, hallucinations, delusions of desire satisfaction, and persistent delusional superiority. It includes the persistent denial of responsibility for one’s actions. It also includes those unrealistic obsessive thoughts or compulsive behaviors. In distortion, there can be a pleasant, blended or integrated feeling with another person (e.g., “Jesus lives in me and grants me all my requests.”) But in contrast to delusional projection, the latter alleviates its own suffering because the responsibility of the feelings is placed elsewhere, and in distortion the unpleasant feelings are replaced by their opposite parties. As shown in religious beliefs; distortions may have a better adaptive effect.
Layer 2 – ImmatureMechanism (immature psychological defense mechanisms)
These mechanisms are common in “healthy” people between the ages of three and fifteen, in people with personality disorders, and in adults in psychotherapy. For those who apply them, these defense mechanisms are often able to change the distress caused by the creation of affectionate feelings between people (or by the loss of such feelings). To the onlooker, however, they appear unnecessary. Although it is difficult to change immature defense mechanisms, it is possible to change immature defense mechanisms by improving interpersonal relationships, or by repeatedly and persuasively explaining them in long-term psychotherapy.
4, projection (Projection) – the individual does not recognize their own feelings attributed to others.
It includes serious prejudice, refusal to make out with someone because of suspicion, excessive vigilance against external dangers, and the collection of “evidence” to show that someone is wronged. Some people may appear eccentric or irritable after using this defense mechanism, but it is still considered “legal”.
5. Schizoid Fantasy (SchizoidFantasy) – The application of fantasy in order to resolve conflicts or to obtain psychological satisfaction, or often indulge in a solitary state of withdrawal.
It is often accompanied by obvious avoidance of earthly affection or eccentric behavior to keep others away from oneself and other situations. Unlike psychotic denial, the person who applies it does not want (or insist) that people know about his fantasy. However, unlike a mere desire, split-like fantasies can satisfy the need for personal relationships and also spare oneself the obvious urge to express aggression or sexuality toward others. Unlike dissociation, the fantasy recreates the external world rather than the internal world.
6. Hypochondriasis (hypochondriasis) – the condemnation of others arising from birth and death (bereavement), loneliness, or unaccepted aggressive impulses that first turn into self-blame, followed by complaints of pain, somatic illness, and neurosis.
Hypochondriasis is the introjection of characteristics of others into oneself, and as a result, causes a seemingly plausible “illness”. Unlike identity, hypochondriac introjection produces distress and unpleasantness. Hypochondriac introjection is “incompatible with the self”. This defense mechanism allows the person to reprimand others for his own distress or discomfort, without making direct demands on them or complaining about others ignoring his (often unexpressed) wishes. It does not include asthma, ulcers, or high blood pressure. These i.e. are not adaptations and are not defenses. It is also not like hysterical conversion symptoms, suspicion of the opposite of the emotional attitude, not the taciturn, Mo does not care (Iabelleindifference).
7, Passive–aggressiveBehavior–applicant will indirectly (through passivity) or directly the aggression that should be directed at others, expressed in their own body.
It includes failures, delays, or illnesses that affect others or even oneself (at least at first). It includes engaging in silly or provocative behavior to gain attention, or clowning around to avoid being in a competitive position. Those who have formed abusive abusive relationships tend to show both passive-aggressive and suspicious defenses.
8, venting (ActingOut) (old translation: subconscious release) – to allow a subconscious desire or impulse to manifest directly, in order to spare themselves from awareness of the accompanying feelings.
It includes motor behavior, disciplinary or impulsive actions, and “temper tantrums” to avoid being aware of one’s feelings. It also includes chronic substance abuse, failure, perversion, or self-injury in order to reduce tension (i.e., subjective anxiety or depression). Venting also involves a condition in which one allows oneself to vent impulsively for a long time in order to avoid generating tension caused by instinctive postponement of expression.
Layer 3 – “Neurotic” defense mechanisms
These mechanisms are common in “healthy” people between the ages of 3 and 90, in individuals with neurosis, and in individuals who are dealing with acute stress. For those who apply them, these mechanisms can alter the expression of personal feelings or instincts. To the onlooker, they appear as personal excuses or “neurotic distress”. They can often make dramatic changes after the traditional, short course of psychotherapeutic interpretation.
9, intellectualization (Intellectualization) – the use of emotionally less strong statements to think about instinctive desires, and do not pay to the actual action. The idea remains in the consciousness, while the feelings have disappeared.
Rationalization includes the following mechanisms: isolation, rationaliza-tino, ritual, undoing, restitution, and magicalthinking. These mechanisms are somewhat distinct from each other, but they often occur in clusters. Rationalization includes giving too much attention to nonliving things in order to avoid having affectionate feelings with people, or paying attention to external reality in order to avoid expressing inner feelings, or paying attention to irrelevant details in order to avoid perceiving the whole. Compulsive thinking and behavior are also included, although they can also be considered as some form of inner displacement.
10. Repression (Repression) – apparently innocent behavior that appears to be inexplicable, a slip of the tongue, or an inability to acknowledge the input of a sense. It can be said that this is: feelings remain in the consciousness, while the concept is ignored.
The “forgetting” caused by repression is very specific, and there are often highly symbolic behaviors that suggest that the repression is not really forgetting. The difference between repression and suppression is that the former is effective in unconsciously suppressing impulses to the point of abandoning the goal, rather than just deferring it. Unlike denial, it simply keeps people from perceiving their instincts and feelings in their consciousness, rather than denying their awareness of and reaction to external events. If one is crying and forgets who he is crying for, this could be repression; if he denies that he has shed tears or insists that the person he is mourning is actually alive, it could be denial.
11, displacement (Displacement) – to change their feelings to a less concerned (less emotional attention) object (object), rather than for the person or situation that can cause such feelings.
It involves the easy substitution of a thing or stranger for that emotionally significant person. Jokes, implied hostile wit and satirical cartoons all involve substitution. Most phobias, most hysterical conversions, and some prejudices, also involve substitution.
12, Reverse Formation (ReactionFormation) – the behavior exhibited is the exact opposite of some unacceptable instinctual impulse.
This defense mechanism includes: when someone wants to take care of themselves but obviously take care of others, “hate” someone or something they really like, or “love” their hated rival or disliked position.
13, dissociation (Dissociation) – a temporary and drastic change in their character or a feeling, in order to avoid emotional distress. Synonymous with neurotic denial.
It may include delirium, hysterical conversion reflection, a sudden unfounded superiority or careless attitude, and short-term denial of one’s behavior or feelings. It also includes the act of appearing to be busy in order to eliminate anxiety or distress, the “safe” expression of instinctual desires by performing on stage, and the brief abuse of a substance or the use of religious “joy” in order to numb one’s unpleasant feelings. Separation is easier for others to understand than distortion, and is more empathetic and briefer than venting.
Layer 4 – MatureMechanism
These mechanisms are common in “healthy” people between the ages of 12 and 90. For those who apply them, these mechanisms can integrate reality, relationships, and personal feelings. To the onlooker, they are virtues. When stress is increasing, they may also change into less mature defense mechanisms.
14, altruism (Altruism) – alternative but constructive service to others, and instinctively make themselves feel satisfied.
It includes the reverse formation of benign construction, charitable behavior, and repaying service to others. Altruism differs from projection and venting in that it provides real rather than imagined benefits to others. The difference between it and reverse formation is that it allows the person applying it to be at least partially satisfied.
15, Humor (Humor) – the obvious expression of ideas and feelings, but does not make themselves feel uncomfortable, and does not have an unpleasant effect on others.
Certain games and comical regressive behavior are humor. Unlike wit, which is a form of substitution, humor is blunt, says whatever it wants, and cannot be applied without some element of the “ego in observation. As with hope, humor allows the applicator to tolerate and focus on the unbearable, in contrast to wit, which tends to show a lapse in attention. Unlike split-like fantasy, humor does not exclude others.
16, suppression (Suppression) – although in the consciousness there is an urge to resolve conflicts, but in the conscious or semi-conscious decision to postpone.
This mechanism includes a glimmer of hope in the search for difficulties, to have recognized the uncomfortable feelings as small as possible, in the face of difficulties to stand up, find ways to postpone and not avoid. People who use suppression are saying: “I will think about this tomorrow”, and the next day do remember to think about it.
17, anticipation (Anticipation) – for the future of the inner discomfort to make realistic expectations or plans intended.
This mechanism includes purposeful and careful planning (or worrying) about what is going to happen, having a realistic emotional anticipation of death or surgery, and being able to consciously use the “self-knowledge” learned in psychotherapy at the same time.
18, sublimation (Sublimation) – indirect or diminished expression of instinct, but neither adverse consequences, nor a significant loss of pleasure.
It includes the expression of aggression through fun games, sports and hobbies, as well as the romantic expression of their instincts in a diminished way when really courting. Unlike humor, this “ego-serving regression” has real consequences when used in sublimation. Unlike the “neurotic” defense, in the use of sublimation the instinct is not blocked or diverted, but rather another path is created for it. The artistic outcome is a typical example. In projection, the individual’s feelings (e.g., anger) are attributed to others. In displacement, the individual’s feelings, while still recognized as his or her own, are redirected toward less important objects and often without satisfaction. In sublimation, however, the feelings are recognized, modified, and redirected to more important persons or objects, so that an instinctive satisfaction of adaptation occurs.