SECTION XXXVI: SOCIAL ANXIETY III: ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOR Therapists Overview

UNDERSTANDING MY DEFENSE MECHANISMS

GOALS OF THE EXERCISE

1. 2. Maintain a program of recovery that is free of addictive patterns and excessive anxiety. Increase understanding of psychological defense mechanisms that interfere with prog-ress in treatment and ways they have been demonstrated in past life experiences. Understand the benefits and costs of defense mechanisms. Learn and use healthier alternative ways to cope with difficulties. Interact socially without excessive anxiety.

3. 4. 5.

ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS FOR WHICH THIS EXERCISE MAY BE USEFUL

Anger Antisocial Behavior Dangerousness/Lethality Narcissistic Traits Occupational Problems Treatment Resistance

SUGGESTIONS FOR PROCESSING THIS EXERCISE WITH CLIENT

The Understanding My Defense Mechanisms activity is designed for clients who are motivated for recovery but lack insight into dysfunctional defense mechanisms that are impeding their progress. The exercise presents information on psychological defense mechanisms and guides clients in selfassessment, then presents a structured cost/benefit analysis for each defense mechanism. It concludes by pointing in the direction of identifying and practicing more functional coping mechanisms as replacements for dysfunctional defense mechanisms. Follow-up can include keeping a journal of thoughts and actions related to defenses identified, continued work with the therapist on alternative coping strategies, studying role models to identify their coping processes, and reporting back to the therapist and treatment group on

learning and progress.

EXERCISE XXXVI.A

UNDERSTANDING MY DEFENSE MECHANISMS

Defense mechanisms are mental and emotional responses we all use, often without knowing were doing it, to protect ourselves from painful experiences and feelings. These defenses may save us from short-term emotional discomfort, but they can be problems when they keep us from being able to see ourselves, our world, and our behavior accurately. They can block recovery and maintain self-defeating behavior. This exercise will help you look at how your defenses were created and maintained, how they may be hurting you, and the costs of keeping them. Some common defense mechanisms include: a. Sense of humor (making light of a serious situation or downplaying its impact on others) b. Sublimation (channeling feelings into safe and acceptable channels, like an aggressive person who vents anger playing football instead of assaulting his boss) c. Denial (not being able to see the reality of a current situation, past actions, or the impact of consequences) d. Projection (seeing other people as having your problem instead of seeing it in yourself) e. Reaction formation (overcompensating by going to the opposite extreme, such as being extra nice to someone you dont like) f. Intellectualizing (thinking of situations in nonemotional terms) g. Displacement (expressing to one person or thing what you feel toward another, like yelling at your kids when youre mad at the police officer who pulled you over) h. Repression (forgetting or putting something out of your conscious mind) i. 1. Hypochondriasis (thinking you are sick as a way to avoid dealing with a situation)

What are some painful or uncomfortable thoughts or situations youve had

to deal with during the past year?

EXERCISE XXXVI.A

2.

What defense mechanisms do you believe you may have used to cope with the thoughts or situations you listed for question 2, and how did you use them?

3.

How have your defenses kept you from seeing your addictive behaviors realistically?

4.

What feedback have others given you regarding your defenses?

5.

Cost/Benefit Analysis: Choose one of the defenses that are part of your addictions self-protection system and complete the following analysis. Benefits of Keeping This Defense Costs of Keeping This Defense

Benefits of Working through Painful/Uncomfortable Situations in a More Realistic Way

Costs of Working through Painful/Uncomfortable Situations in a More Realistic Way

EXERCISE XXXVI.A

6.

How can you become aware as quickly as possible that you are using a defense mechanism in an unhealthy way?

7.

For any defense mechanisms youve decided to give up, what will you replace them with to deal with the situations that prompted you to use those defense mechanisms? Who can help you develop coping methods that give you better results, and how will you get their help?

Be sure to bring this handout back to your next therapy session, and be prepared to talk about your thoughts and feelings about the exercise.