Page 26 - ISABS Here and Now
P. 26
Hypochondriasis Displacement Reaction Formation
Bharat is a great fellow. But whenever I Suresh is angry with his father, but as he When I meet Suresh, he sounds very
meet him he complains that his stomach cannot take out his anger with his father, happy the way his father has gone about
is aching, or he has this headache that he takes out his anger on his servant. The deciding about his property. He praises his
never gets cured. Whenever I suggest an moment he sees that his servant has father for his foresight and sensitivity, and
option, or talk about a doctor, he says that made some small mistake, he shouts at his ability to balance the needs of the two
he has tried all remedies, and met all his servant and insults him, calling him an children.
doctors. It seems that he is not interested idiot.
in knowing about cures; his interest is just In this case, even though Suresh is angry
getting me to listen to his endless Intellectualization with his father, he has turned his anger to
complaints! its opposite - admiration and liking.
Suresh is very angry with his father but
Neurotic Defenses instead of expressing his anger, he makes Reaction formation is very moralistic in
a cool, emotion less presentation on how nature: after all, it is morals that are used
Immature defenses, when employed by his father's decision about the division of to justify the opposite reaction. (it is
an individual, trouble and irritate the property is not appropriate in law. The moral to appreciate one's father!)
people around them. Neurotic defenses, way Suresh talks about the problem, it Unfortunately, while Reaction Formation
in contrast, trouble the individuals who seems that he is talking about someone may seem admirable to others, it gives
employ them. People around them may else's problem. little pleasure to the one adopting this.
not even know that the individual is This is because, even though Suresh may
adopting a particular defense mechanism. Repression sound positive about his father, he will
Some of the well know neurotic defenses actually not be able to get close to his
include the following: Whenever I meet Suresh on the way, he father. The anger within is still there and
seems totally out of sorts. When I ask him even as he expresses admiration, he will
what is the matter, he says actually experience abrasiveness (towards his
nothing is the matter: for some father) internally. And this abrasiveness
inexplicable reason his mood has been off would be picked up by the other party
for many days. too.
26
