Defence mechanism in OCD?
Ans. a (Reaction formation) (Ref Ahuja Psychiatry 6th/pg. 104)Ego defencesAll ego defences are automatic and unconscious reactions to psychological stress.E.g. Mature AltruismGuilty feelings alleviated by unsolicited generosityMafia boss makes large donation of charity towards others.HumorAppreciating the nature of an anxiety provoking or adverse situationNervous medical student jokes about the boards.SublimationProcess whereby one replaces an unacceptable wish with a course of action that is similar to the wish but does not conflict with one's value system.Aggressive impulses used to succeed in business venturesSuppressionVoluntary (unlike other defenses) withholding of an idea or feeling from conscious awarenessChoosing not to think about the MHPGMCET until the week of the examHINT: Mature women wear a SASH: Sublimation, Altruism, Suppression, Humor Immature Acting outUnacceptable feelings and thoughts are expressed through actions.TantrumsDissociationTemporary, drastic change in personality, memory, consciouness, or motor behaviour to avoid emotional stressExtreme forms can result in multiple personalities (dissociative identity disorder).DenialAvoidance of awareness of some painful realityA common reaction in newly diagnosed AIDS and cancer patients.DisplacementProcess whereby avoided ideas and feelings are transferred to some neutral person or objectMother yells at child because she is angry at her husbandFixationPartially remaining at a more childish level of developmentMen fixating on sportsIdentificationModeling behaviour after another person who is more powerful (thought not necessarily admired).Abused child becomes an abuserIsolationSeparation of feelings from ideas and events.Describing murder in graphic detail with no emotional response.ProjectionAn unacceptable internal impulse is attributed to an external source.A man who wants another woman thinks his wife is cheating on him.RationalizationProclaiming logical reasons for actions actually performed for other reasons, usually to avoid self-blameSaying the job was not important anyways, after getting fired.Reaction formationProcess whereby a warded-off idea or feeling is replaced by an unconsciously derived emphasis on its opposite.A patient with libidinous thoughts enters a monastery.RegressionTurning back the maturational clock and going back to earlier modes of dealing with the world.Seen in children under stress (e.g., bed-wetting) and in patients on dialysis (e.g., crying)RepressionInvoluntary withholding of an idea or feeling from conscious awareness.The basic mechanism underlying all others.SplittingBelief that people are either good or bad.A patient says that all nurses are cold and insensitive but that the doctors are warm and friendly.
Reaction formation
Regression
Progression
Sublimation
Neurotic Disorders