General Structure of Psychological Defense
Whilst the primary defense mechanism of alcoholics is denial therapists may observe other psychological defenses such as those listed below.
Although abnormalities in the development of the functioning of ego defenses or defense mechanisms may have a fundamental relationship to the causes of various forms of psychopathology, defenses are not of themselves pathological. They may serve an essential function in maintaining healthy psychological well-being.
Primitive Defenses
These defenses range in severity from a psychotic level of functioning to borderline psychological functioning.
Neurotic Defenses
- Controlling
- Displacement
- Dissociation
- Intellectualization
- Isolation
- Rationalization
- Reaction Formation
- Repression
- Sexualization
- Acting Out
- Blocking
- Hypochondriasis
- Introjection
- Regression
- Altruism
- Anticipation
- Humor
- Sublimation
- Suppression
Recovery from alcoholism will see the alcoholic modify or discard the less productive defenses.
Any good psychology text or an Internet search will provide an overview and examples of these – see Amazon book below.
| Ego Mechanism Of Defense: A GUIDE FOR CLINICIANS AND RESEARCHERS by GEORGE, ED. VAILLANT |
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