Tag Archives: unconscious

Obstinate Denial and Mental Filtering

Some so-called denial is rooted in obstinacy, a stubborn refusal to accept a reality that challenges a person to change and grow.

Blaming Others Is Not a Defense but a Tactic

Blaming others is not unconscious defense. It’s a conscious tactic to throw you on the defensive while refusing to internalize a behavioral norm.

Neurotic or Character Disorder? Criterion 5 Awareness

The “problems” neurotics experience often stem from emotional conflicts that rage deep within their unconscious minds.  They’re typically unaware of what’s at the root of the “symptoms” they report.  If a woman already knew that the unexplained funk she’d been in lately was related to her suppressed feelings of grief and loss that just happened to be … Continue reading Neurotic or Character Disorder? Criterion 5 Awareness

“Acting-Out” Top 5 Misused Psychology Terms – Part 2

  In the “jargon” of mental health professionals one frequently hears the term “acting-out.” It is amazing how frequently this term is misused. As was the case with “denial” true acting-out is an unconscious ego defense mechanism. Without knowing it, persons who act-out engage in some kind of behavior (as opposed to a psycho-physiological or … Continue reading “Acting-Out” Top 5 Misused Psychology Terms – Part 2

“Denial” Top 5 misused psychology terms – Part 1

Anyone familiar with the “jargon” of mental health professionals of all persuasions has undoubtedly heard the term denial.  What you may not know is that it’s fairly common not only for professionals but also for others to use the term improperly or in a poorly defined or over-generalized manner.  In classical (psychodynamic) psychology, denial is an unconscious … Continue reading “Denial” Top 5 misused psychology terms – Part 1