The 2 most common defenses used by couples with marital problems are...
Projection and Displacement
Projection is when someone attributes their own unacceptable thoughts, feelings, or motives to another person. For instance, if one partner is feeling unfaithful, they might accuse their significant other of being unfaithful instead.
Displacement is when someone redirects their thoughts or feelings from a person or situation that gives rise to these feelings to another person or situation which is less threatening.For example, a person might vent out their anger at their partner instead of addressing it towards their boss who is the real source of their anger.
A 24 yr old woman complains of depressed mood. She tells the social worker that she has felt this way the past 2-3 yrs. She has little energy for social or work activities, has difficulty making decisions and concentrating, and has poor appetite. There are no delusions or hallucinations. Her most likely DSM IV diagnosis is?
(a) Dysthymic disorder
(b) Bipolar disorder, depressed
(c) Cyclothymic disorder
(d) Major depression, recurrent