Defense mechanisms

Defense mechanisms

Defense mechanisms are psychological strategies that people use to protect or somewhat distance themselves from unpleasant thoughts, feelings and anxiety, however, it is important to note that most people don’t realize they are using them at that particular moment and it comes about. As a result, a conflict between two conflicting personalities in the inner self. The main defense mechanisms discussed here are, denial, displacement, acting out and rationalization. The essay will major on denial as defensive mechanism as, discussing on instances in the public media, where people shows denial publicly.

Denial

Denial tis a defensive mechanism   considered as one of the best and often used when one can deal with reality, it involves refusing to accept something happened or is currently happening because of its discomfort or even the inability to take the guilt and that it is their responsibility in order to put the blame remains on others. An example of denial is a person in addiction example alcohol in most cases will deny it is a problem to them and claim to be doing quite well in their jobs and relationships which is not what they honestly feel. Even though this method seems like the most effective to escape our troubles ,it doesn’t help the situation because without accepting reality, it’s hard to get over the case, therefore, easing into the truth slowly would be more productive.

Displacement

Secondly displacement is transfer of emotion from the person who is in the situation that is causing them frustration to someone or something else, in other words, the person does not confront the source of their failure but shifts to another target that is less dangerous. The main intention is to release the emotions by directing them elsewhere, therefore, causing less harm to themselves, although it makes one feel better, it ends up in hurting an innocent person. However sometimes displacement might not work .The moment one want the second target to seem like the original it could be impossible (Sherman & Cohen, 2016).Therefore like any other health, it may be right in the short run, but it may lead to complications.

Acting out

Thirdly  acting out  involves individuals engaging in activities rather than reflecting on their internal feeling, an example is instead of telling people you are angry with them then you throw something to them or even punch a wall. This method helps to one release the pressure they are feeling and be calm and peaceful once more.

Rationalization

Rationalization involves explaining an unacceptable behavior or feeling while avoiding the real reasons for doing it. Rationalization helps prevent anxiety and enhances self-esteem and self -concept. By applying rationalization we feel convinced that we have been free from people thinking negative perceptions. Rationalization makes us have some inner peace which may lead to guilt later despite escaping the current situation because we know we were wrong. Therefore it is an advantage only in the short run, but with time it is a burden.

Denial a defensive mechanism in in Public Media

On 20th November 2007, Benedict Carey wrote an article on Denial Makes the World Go Round.” Denial is a psychological skill that can be applied purposely to avoid a festering problem in hand. Even blindness and inattention towards realities of our lives and relationship is a defensive mechanism (DR. SCHWARTZ’S WEBLOG. 2007).

1. SCHWARTZ’S WEBLOG. 2007 article is discussing on denial as a psychological defensive mechanism in marriage or intimate relationship. Denial is applied to overlook and alter the view of people by changing them towards different attribute. The article points out that one’s character can be reformulated into a different one to bring moral sense. For instance, a jealous friend could be perceived as positive and loving. The article shows that such idealization could make people in society to interact peacefully. If an event is recast with intentions to make it appear acceptable, then it is a form of denial and can be forgiveness base. The article explains that in case a cheating woman is found cheating, it is recasted to weakness moment, or perceived as a mid-crisis. Married people can apply denial to move on their lives ignoring that they faced extramarital affair.

The media states that denial can be altered from a defensive mechanism to disastrous consequences. The newspaper gives an example of the danger of rejection by illustrating a case of a family context. The moment the family refuse seeing fundamental problems in some of the family members putting it as a taboo. If the member has become addicted to alcohol, and come late in the house in an inebriation. Every individual of that household may tend to be silent. Denial may make these individual fail to handle the alcoholic person. The silence could start spreading to associate problems which are relegated in the silence. Family members, therefore, get to behave in politesse so that they do not hurt their lovely family member. No one will advise the heavy drinker that he is acting contrary to the family (DR. SCHWARTZ’S WEBLOG, 2007).

Another example is if, in a mental health hospital, there were many cases of denial. A family could not face the truth that a girl child got raped. Ignoring this due to fear and anxiety from the society members. The female child is the one who suffered the consequences of denial as the family’s defensive mechanism. Adapting to this situation made the family behave in a way intending to please the child yet she might have been facing many psychological problems and stress. Another family had a deep history of eating disorders among female family members. Following the past generation, the family just denied the fact until a time one a daughter was sick got admitted to the hospital, and only the doctors could confront the family she was suffering from eating disorders (DR. SCHWARTZ’S WEBLOG. 2007).

Generally, from the above description, all defensive mechanism can be important in our daily lives, but there are far-reaching consequences. Denial for instance as presented in the New York Times serves a useful purpose since it limits insensitivity and insults. This could merely improve our family relationship. However, defensive mechanisms can be very dangerous the moment people refute seeing severe problems in life.