03 - Mature defences

Mature defences:

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1. Defence mechanisms

Defence mechanisms are not descriptions; they are explanations for certain human behaviour and experiences. Hence they are a part of explanatory psychopathology. These defences operate both in normal individuals and under pathological conditions. Anna Freud organised Freudian defences; Klein and later contributors added some more defence mechanisms. Vaillant (1977) classified them and categorised them to mature, immature and neurotic defences. Kleinian defences are sometimes called as psychotic defences. Using a narrow repertoire of defences repeatedly and repeated use of immature or neurotic defences may be associated with disease states or traits. How is a defence mechanism formed?

Mature defences: SASHA is a mnemonic for the mature defences. Altruism: Using constructive and gratifying service to others to receive a vicarious satisfaction. This does not involve giving up one’s pleasures. Altruism is distinguished from altruistic surrender, in which surrender of direct gratification of instinctual needs takes place to satisfy the needs of others to the detriment of the self.

Wish or Impulse Wish or Impulse Prohibitions (moral, social or legal) Prohibitions (moral, social or legal) Signal Anxiety Signal Anxiety Defence operation Defence operation Symptoms formed Symptoms formed

© SPMM Course ALTRUISM Conflict Result Process ‘Defeat’ in a situation Unconditional offer of help Replaces aggression and competition by support: Achieve vicarious satisfaction

Humour: Here comedy is used to express feelings and thoughts overtly without personal discomfort and without producing an unpleasant effect on others. It allows the person to tolerate and yet focus on troublesome aspects. HUMOUR Conflict Result Process Failure, loss or destruction of belongings Highlighting amusing aspects of threat signals or outcome Anxiety converted to comedy or irony

Anticipation: Here one plans realistically for future inner discomfort and expects worse to occur with mental preparation. Note that anticipation without specific target or goal is nothing but freefloating anxiety and this is not helpful; Anticipation mechanism is goal-directed and implies careful planning for potential difficulties. ANTICIPATION Conflict Result Process Sudden threat event Predicting probabilities and planning countermeasures Matching events and coping resources to achieve a sense of control

Sublimation: Achieving impulse gratification but only after altering a socially objectionable impulse to a socially acceptable one. Sublimation allows instincts to be channelled, rather than blocked. SUBLIMATION Conflict Result Process Unacceptable impulses Socially acceptable behaviour Rechanneling impulses into acceptable expressions

Suppression: Consciously or semiconsciously postponing attention to a conscious impulse or conflict. Issues may be deliberately cut off, but they are not avoided. Discomfort is acknowledged but minimized. ALTRUISM Conflict Result Process