Defence Mechanisms and Psychological Adaptations

Defence mechanisms and psychological adaptations Absolutely, let’s dive into the fascinating world of defense mechanisms and psychological adaptations! These are processes that help us cope with stress, anxiety, or internal conflicts. Here’s an overview: Defense Mechanisms Defense mechanisms are unconscious strategies used by the mind to protect itself from unpleasant thoughts, emotions, or situations. They often aim to reduce psychological distress. Here are some common examples: Denial : Refusing to accept reality or facts to avoid uncomfortable feelings. Example: A person who is told they have a serious illness may insist the diagnosis is wrong. Projection : Attributing one's own feelings or thoughts to someone else. Example: A person who feels angry might accuse someone else of being hostile. Repression : Pushing distressing thoughts or memories out of conscious awareness. Example: Forgetting about a traumatic event from childhood. Sublimation : Channelling negative emotions into socially acceptable activities. Example: Using anger as motivation to excel in sports. Rationalization : Justifying or explaining away behaviors to make them seem reasonable. Example: “I didn’t want the job anyway” after failing an interview. Displacement : Redirecting emotions from their original source to a safer target. Example: Taking out frustration at work by snapping at a loved one. Regression : Reverting to behaviors from an earlier developmental stage. Example: Throwing a tantrum under stress, even as an adult. Psychological Adaptations Psychological adaptations are conscious strategies or skills used to cope with challenges and improve mental well-being. These are often healthier and more constructive than defense mechanisms. Examples include: Resilience : Developing the ability to bounce back from setbacks. Example: Learning from a failed project and using the experience for future growth. Mindfulness : Practicing awareness and acceptance of the present moment. Example: Using meditation to manage stress. Problem-Solving : Actively working to address the source of stress. Example: Creating a budget to reduce financial anxiety. Seeking Support : Reaching out to friends, family, or professionals for help. Example: Talking to a therapist about emotional challenges. Cognitive Reframing : Changing the way a situation is perceived to reduce its emotional impact. Example: Viewing a failed exam as an opportunity to improve rather than a disaster. While defense mechanisms can sometimes be helpful in the short term, relying on them excessively may lead to difficulties in relationships or self-understanding. Psychological adaptations, on the other hand, are proactive strategies that help individuals thrive. Feature Nightmares Night Terrors Sleep Stage Occur during REM sleep (dreaming stage) Occur during non-REM sleep (deep sleep) Awareness Person often fully wakes up Person usually does not fully wake up Memory of Event Dreams are vividly remembered No memory of the episode upon waking Behavior May involve crying or distress but no major Involve screaming, thrashing, or intense physical activity physical reactions Timing in the Night More common in the later part of the night More common in the early part of the night (closer to waking up) (first 1–3 hours of sleep) Triggers Stress, trauma, anxiety, or certain medications Sleep deprivation, fever, stress, or CNS overactivation Age Group Common across all age groups Mostly affect children (ages 3–7), but adults can also experience them Response Needed Reassurance may help the person calm down Avoid waking the person; ensure safety during the episode Poor and good prognostic features of schizophrenia Feature Poor Prognostic Features Good Prognostic Features Onset Insidious onset Acute onset Age of Onset Early onset (e.g., adolescence) Later onset (e.g., adulthood) Gender Male Female Family History Positive family history of schizophrenia No family history of schizophrenia Symptoms Prominent negative symptoms (e.g., flat Prominent positive symptoms (e.g., affect, avolition) delusions, hallucinations) Pre-morbid Functioning Poor social and occupational functioning Good pre-morbid social and occupational functioning Response to Treatment Poor response to antipsychotic medication Good response to antipsychotic medication Duration of Untreated Psychosis Long duration of untreated psychosis Short duration of untreated psychosis Cognitive Functioning Significant cognitive impairment Minimal cognitive impairment Support System Poor support system Strong support system Substance Use History of substance abuse No history of substance abuse