Defense Mechanism

DEFENSE MECHANISMS IN PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS

I. PSYCHOSES:

*In the acute stage there is a complete loss of the ego’s defense mechanisms, and disturbing thoughts, feelings, and impulses intrude into the consciousness *as the individual gradually improves defenses appear

• projection
• delusional denial
• distortion
• regression

II. NEUROTIC CONDITIONS:

(Anxiety Disorders; Somatoform Disorders; Dissociative Disorders in DSM IV R)

*defenses are used non-adaptively in social interaction *they are stereotyped and repeated

Clinically: --disturbing thoughts and impulses are controlled by the ego defenses but --feelings intrude into consciousness --patient is anxious, seeks help because he/she feels uncomfortable with his life experience (ego-alien)

Phobia: Displacement Avoidance Symbolization Restriction of the Ego

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder:

Undoing Reaction Formation Isolation Magical Beliefs Intellectualization

Somatoform Disorders:

Somatization Conversion Passivity

Dissociative Disorders:

Dissociation Denial
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III. PERSONALITY DISORDERS:

Defenses are extremely efficient in controlling anxiety (ego syntonic) so that patient is not disturbed by any unconscious thoughts or feelings. His/her behavior and impulses, shaped by his/her ego defenses are maladaptive, and interfere with his interpersonal and work relationship.

CONCLUSION: *Everyone uses defenses at times. *It is their inappropriate, repetitive or excessive use which lead to maladaptive behavior.

Cluster A: Paranoid Personality Disorder --Projection

Schizoid Personality Disorder --Restriction of ego functions

Schizotypal Personality Disorder --Distortion --Identificatin --Somatization --Repression --Acting out --Fantasy of love and attention --Dissociation --Regression