Understanding Defense Mechanisms: The Mind's Protection Squad

Have you ever said or done something you later regretted? Or felt like your emotions run the show? Our minds use hidden strategies called defense mechanisms to protect us from uncomfortable feelings. In this video, I explain what they are, why we have them, and how understanding yours can help you improve your communication and emotional well-being. This is the first in a series where I'll break down specific defenses, starting with projection.

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Disclaimer: All of the information on this channel is for educational purposes and not intended to be specific/personal medical advice from me to you. Watching the videos or getting answers to comments/question, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. If you have your own doctor, perhaps these videos can help prepare you for your discussion with your doctor.

[nehalilisays]

For me the most interesting defense mechanism is identification because it explains a lot of things happening in fandoms. For example when fans (of an artist, athlete, politician, business owner, etc.) defend their idol no matter what because their success & image has become a part of the fans' self-esteem.

[spoon]

Wow, I wish we were taught more about our bodies and minds in school.
I didn't know about intellectualizing emotions, or that it's a coping mechanism. That's going to be a hard lesson.

[Raissa_Artista]

You're videos just keep getting better and better and BETTER every time I see it. I see the little changes and aesthetic upgrades and its awesome :)

[edwong]

It seems to me that the three defense mechanisms in each category correspond to fight (attack), flight (avoid) or freeze (surrender):

Primitive
1. Fight - Acting Out
2. Flight - Denial
3. Freeze - Dissociation

Neurotic
1. Fight - Projection
2. Flight - Reaction Formation
3. Freeze - Intellectualisation

Mature
1. Fight - Suppression
2. Flight - Sublimation
3. Freeze - Humour

[Smidgen-xi]

For me, this is good food for thought. Sometime, my emotions are so strong, the urge is to put them out of my mind. Having this framework to look at the emotions, makes them a little easier to approach. Thank you.

[xxxxbombie]

Literally just thinking of this. Thank you Dr. Tracey

[paesitopaez]

Love the way you bring this kind of abstract psychoanalytic concepts down to earth into an easy and applicable set of tips! Big fan over here❤

[jamisonlamkin]

I think I need to look into reaction formation a bit.

[elin_]

A while ago, I realized that my bad habits exist for a reason.. that they have helped me and still are helping me to deal with stuff (even if it's unhealthy habits) .. realizing that has made me feel less ashamed. I still feel ashamed of my eating habits, but at least I understand it a bit better now.

[PGHFilmz]

Good Morning Dr👩‍⚕️.Marks, I recently found a new place of employment, I found that some of the tasks I have to complete are similar to one of my previous places of employment(2018), the information you've shared in this video is very helpful, it will help me deal with my new employees & future new customers(once I apply to get promoted), Thank You.

[Chereese]

Thank you for this Dr. Marks. I definitely need to learn more about these defense mechanisms, and how/why I use them.

[StuDisco]

Dr Marks your video releases are so often timed serendipitously with what I have going on in my own life, always something that resonates with me, thank you ❤

[DannyHorn-xx]

Your a great Teacher Dr Tracy thank you.

[InspireSphere-uwfi]

I discovered your channel during the pandemic. Your channel has been very informative. It has helped with my clients. Very well done! Keep doing what you do!

[AdamSno]

You are so smart and helpful, thank you! 😊

[crabofchaos]

I wish there was more idea illustrations instead of just text on top of Dr. Marks! Like, you know, the driver from the first scene could see a car crash on the road and close his eyes (immature response), he could do a sudden hard turn (neurotic), and he could drive around the obstacle with a blinker on as an adult. Stuff like that helps digesting information and respects the visual medium.

[brianbobo]

This video was very informative. Made some connections on why I was acting out using destructive behaviors.

[hibahemani]

The more I watch your videos, the more I love this channel ❤️

[elysianfibres]

woah! So much to consider! Great job condensing this topic down to 8 mins - I bet it could easily have been a 3-hour video or more!

[SharonDrummond-byof]

Makes a lot of sense to me. Avoidance doesn't make it go away you are just prolonging making yourself better and substance abuse don't help either. But it's so difficult to except help when you have been talking that negative approach so long ignoring it and drinking heavily for 38 years