In psychoanalytic theory, a defence mechanism is an unconscious psychological mechanism that reduces anxiety arising from unacceptable or potentially harmful stimuli.
Defence mechanisms may result in healthy or unhealthy consequences depending on the circumstances and frequency with which the mechanism is used. Defence mechanisms are psychological strategies brought into play by the unconscious mind to manipulate, deny, or distort reality in order to defend against feelings of anxiety and unacceptable impulses and to maintain one's self-schema or other schemas. These processes that manipulate, deny, or distort reality may include the following: repression, or the burying of a painful feeling or thought from one's awareness even though it may resurface in a symbolic form; identification, incorporating an object or thought into oneself; and rationalization, the justification of one's behaviour and motivations by substituting "good" acceptable reasons for the actual motivations. In psychoanalytic theory, repression is considered the basis for other defence mechanisms.
Healthy people normally use different defence mechanisms throughout life. A defence mechanism becomes pathological only when its persistent use leads to maladaptive behaviour such that the physical or mental health of the individual is adversely affected. Among the purposes of ego defence mechanisms is to protect the mind/self/ego from anxiety or social sanctions or to provide a refuge from a situation with which one cannot currently cope.
_______________________________________
"San na naman kayo napadpad?" Tanong niya mula sa kabilang linya. Nakita ko ang nakakunot niyang nuo sa screen.
"Kuya, ang laki ng mukha mo. Pakilayo nga yang phone mo dyan sa mukha mo." Tinapik ko si Raven na busy sa pagkain ng cheesecake niya at mukhang sarap na sarap pa sa kinakain niya. "Hey, Jake's calling."
Inagaw naman niya ang cellphone ko at siya na ang kumausap kay kuya.
"Yowza, doc! We're in the gorgeous city of Vienna, Austria enjoying a peaceful morning with a yummy breakfast courtesy of Cafe Simone."
"I was talking to my sister you dick."
"This girl right here", tinuro pa niya ako at itinapat sa akin ang front camera, "tired me out yesterday. Holy fuck we managed to tour almost all of the palaces in one day. Damn you man, my legs hurt as fuck and she's not yet done! How much will you pay me for babysitting her?" Kinurot ko naman siya sa tagiliran habang natatawa sa pinagsasabi niya. Inagaw ko ang cellphone ko at kinausap na si kuya.
"I think you're on green. Check your email. Natanggap ko na kanina yung hard copies at nahanapan na kita ng facility. Pwede ka nang lumipat as early as next week." He said solemnly on the other line.
I smiled. A real smile.
"Finally. Thank you kuya!"
"Anything for you, baby. Ang saya niyo ata dyan ah. Masyado ka nang nawiwiling namamasyal at nauubos na yung laman ng dollar account ko dahil sayo. Baka naman mamulubi na ako, An? Kelan ba matatapos yang bakasyon mo? Halos isang buwan na kayong naggagala nang lalaking yan." Nakataas na naman ang kilay ng gagong to eh siya naman ang magsabi sa akin na kailangan kong magrelax at magbakasyon pagkatapos ng mga nangyari sa akin.
"Limang araw na lang. Uuwi na sa States si Raven, ako naman sasaglit lang sa Pilipinas bago umalis ulit." Sumipsip lang ako mula sa straw ng frappe ko habang tinitignan ang kasama kong wiling wili sa order niyang tatlong slice ng cheese cake.
"I'm really happy to see you smiling again. That dick of a guy you're with helped a lot." Siraulo, nagpapasalamat na may kasama pang pangungutya.
"Hey, I heard that!" Singit ni Raven at sumiksik pa sa videocall namin.
BINABASA MO ANG
The Wicked Doctor
General Fiction"Love is just caused by mere chemicals secreted by the glands of the brain. It's a mere concoction giving us the illusion of happiness and contentment. The heart is just a muscle that pumps blood. It doesn't have anything to do with your emotions. Y...
