Psychotherapy Flashcards
What is conscious vs unconscious vs preconscious? This is the topographic model.
Conscious - what you are aware off
Unconscious - What you are not aware of but still influences you
Preconscious - what you can be made aware of with effort
How does the topographic model of the mind explain psychiatric illness?
Symptoms are the result of repressed memories or ideas which can be treated with lifting the repression -> memories can be recalled and symptoms resolved
What are the problems with the topographic model?
Some memories cannot be made conscious
It did not adequately treat patients
What are the three components of the structural model of the mind? What is each of their functions?
- Ego - integration of data, mediates other two components and deals with conflict
- Id - unconscious focuses on sex and aggression (controlled by ego / superego) - the devil
- Superego - our moral conscience in values - the angel
In the structural model, what causes psych symptoms and when is a defense needed?
When the superego, ego, and id are in conflict -> anxiety and other symptoms
Defense is needed when these conflicts occurs
What is the role of a defense mechanism?
They are a compromise in conflicts, result in psychiatric symptoms by gratifying the wishes of the id in a disguised form
- > used by everyone to prevent anxiety / depression
- > may be adaptive or maladaptive
Is denial a defense mechanism?
Yes
What is regression? Give an example
Involuntary return to an earlier phase of development to avoid facing challenges associates with present level
-> toilet trained child begins bed-wetting after moving to new house
What is somatization?
Converting emotional pain or other affect state into physical symptoms
What is projection vs projective identification? Give an example
In both cases, the defensive person attributes their feelings to a target
In projective identification ONLY - target is changed and begins assuming these attributes
You become angry so you say you tell your boss “Why are you so angry??”. If this makes boss angry -> projective identification. If not -> projection
What is acting out? Example?
Enacting an unconscious wish impulsively - avoids talking about painful emotions
Class example: Patient is pissed about therapist leaving when he will need her, so he misses therapy sessions without notice.
Better example: tantrums
What is idealization and when is it used?
Attributing perfect qualities to others while ignoring any flaws (to ignore negative thoughts)
- > avoids anxiety or negative feelings such as contempt, envy or anger
- > if you are anxious about your cancer, this might be a defense to make yourself feel like you’re in good hands
What is splitting and who is this common in?
Compartmentalizing experiences into good or bad so that ambiguity is impossible
Common in borderline personality disorder
What is passive-aggressive behavior?
Aggression towards another person is demonstrated as an indirect opposition in a nonconfrontation manner
When is repression? How does this differ from denial and suppression?
Involuntary withholding of an unacceptable idea / impulse from consciousness
Denial -> Refutation of external data. Repression is denial of inner data
Suppression -> Intentional and temporary withholding of an unacceptable idea / impulse
What is displacement?
Shifting of feelings associated with one idea or person to another
-> you get mad at your boss so you yell at your wife
What is dissociation? Give an example.
A drastic, temporary modification of identity / character to avoid emotional distress
-> feel numb and detached when thinking about abusive event
What is intellectualization?
Using excessive facts and logic to emotionally distance oneself from a stressful situation
-> i.e. focusing only on mechanism of action or survival rates of a new diagnosis rather than how you feel
What is identification? Give an example?
Unconscious assumption of the characteristics, qualities or traits of another person or group. This happens when you internalize the qualities of someone as part of their identity, and you want to be like them.
I.e. a child who stays up late to be like his parents
What is reaction formation vs sublimation?
Reaction formation -> doing the opposite of an unacceptable wish or impulse. I.e. going to a monastery when you feel like having sex, overcompensating but not being genuine.
Sublimation -> channeling those feelings into something positive / something that does not conflict with your value system -> i.e. former cocaine addict works for a substance abuse hotline to help others after he feels like smoking da crack
What is Isolation of Affect? Example?
Separating feelings from ideas and events
-> i.e. describing murder in graphic detail with no emotional response, as if he was describing the weather
What is rationalization?
Justifying unacceptable attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, or outcomes to make them tolerable to oneself, even if the justification is not a good one and you know it internally -> will still feel uncomfortable after the justification
What is altruism and when can it be used negatively?
Committing oneself to the needs of other over and above one’s own needs
- > alleviate negative feelings via unsolicited generosity
- > can be used negatively in narcissism (want to win big prize) and guilt (remorse for bad actions)
What are the four mature defenses?
SASH
Sublimation
Altruism
Suppression - conscious holding of unpleasant / troubling ideas from consciousness
Humor - to break the tension / negative feelings of personal discomfort