Defensive Mechanisms - Summary

For the past few weeks, we have detailed some of the more common defensive mechanisms. From a big picture level, here is a simple way to tell them apart. Note, at the upper and lower extremes, it is often difficult to determine which level a specific behavior - like projection - might belong in.


1. Pathological
Generally speaking, these are the most severe. Someone displaying these would have severe difficulty coping in public in general.

2. Immature
These are among the more severe that will be seen in ordinary public interactions. These are the people that operate "OK" in public part of the time, and then they become uncomfortable to be around at other times.

3. Neurotic
These are the more benign reactions. In fact, some might be so inconspicuous so as not to be noticed unless one is adept at spotting the behavior. Often, these are "somewhat acceptable" reactions to extreme stresses placed on an ordinary person.


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