Psychological Defenses: WHY We Do WHAT We Do

Psychological defenses are subconscious strategies we use to protect ourselves from uncomfortable emotions, and they exert a hidden power over our behavior. From denial and repression to projection and rationalization, Dr. Rick and I explore how these defenses shape our actions, influence our relationships, and affect our overall well-being.

We start with the function and structure of most defenses, before giving a few simple examples. Rick then dives into the role of defenses in psychoanalytic theory, their role in managing self-worth and shame, and what we can do to become less defensive over time. We close with practical strategies for working with our defenses, including a brief discussion of what we can do to help other people with their defenses.

Key Topics:
0:00 Introduction
2:20 Psychological and historical factors influencing psychological defenses
7:55 Some examples of unconscious anxiety bubbling up
12:05 Repression, regression, projection, reaction formation, and sublimation
17:20 An overview of Freud’s developmental model of the personality
24:30 A few examples of how our defenses manifest
34:15 Consciousness, competence, and joining the defense
43:45 Navigating shame and guilt
50:05 Distress tolerance
57:15 Social connection, and finding healthy outlets
1:00:30 When and how to approach others about their defensiveness
1:10:55 Recap

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Who Am I: I'm Forrest, the co-author of Resilient (https://amzn.to/3iXLerD) and host of the Being Well Podcast (https://apple.co/38ufGG0). I'm making videos focused on simplifying psychology, mental health, and personal growth.

I'm not a clinician, and what I say on this channel should not be taken as medical advice.

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