Tag Archives: anxiety

Defense mechanism of The Week: Introjection

Defense Mechanisms | January 19, 2012

What is It? At its simplest, introjection is the process of misunderstanding the feelings that come from the outside as coming from the inside. Although introjection tends to be a more primitive defense, it can sometimes be used in a … Continue reading →

What is Co-Dependency?

Reference | January 5, 2012

Although there is no diagnosis for Co-Dependency in the DSM-V (the diagnostic manual most often used by clinicians) it can be a useful concept in understanding how some individuals involved in relationships with alcoholic or abusive spouses are often suffering … Continue reading →

Can Listening to Music Relieve Pain?

Reference | January 4, 2012

A growing number of researchers are starting to use music in clinical settings as an analgesic to pain. At the very least, it takes the patient’s mind off of the pain (think earbuds during a long jog), and now scientists … Continue reading →

Defense Mechanism of the Week: Intellectualization

Defense Mechanisms | December 14, 2011

Intellectualization occurs when reasoning and logic are used unconsciously to control internal conflict and emotional anxiety. People who intellectualize talk about feelings in a way that strikes the listener as emotionless. For example, if a man talks about “feeling rage” … Continue reading →

Defense Mechanism of the Week: Repression

Defense Mechanisms | November 23, 2011

What is Repression?  In essence, it is motivated ignoring or forgetting for protection of the Ego.  This is the defense mechanism that first fascinated Freud, and has been studied in depth by therapists and psychoanalysts ever since.   Another way to … Continue reading →