Ego Defense Mechanism 1
an attempt to excuses or formulate logical explanations for unacceptable feelings or behaviors
Rationalization
Separating a thought or memory from the feeling, tone, or emotion associated with it
Isolation
refusing to acknowledge the existence of a real situation or the feelings associated with it
Denial
This neurotransmitter is involved with reward, motivation, and addiction. Too little looks like Parkinson's. Too much results in psychosis.
Dopamine
This neurotransmitter plays a role in modulating mood, sleep, anxiety, sexuality, and appetite.
Serotonin
retreating in response to stress to an earlier stage of development and comfort measures associated with that level of functioning
Regression
Attributing feelings or impulses unacceptable to oneself to another person
Repression
This neurotransmitter plays a role in alertness, focus and fight or flight response
Norepinephrine
This neurotransmitter plays a role in allergic reactions and is produced as part of a immune response to a pathogen
Histamine
The transfer of feelings from one target to another that is considered less threatening or neutral
displacement
The voluntary blocking of unpleasant feelings and experiences from one's awareness
Suppression
Covering up a real or perceived weakness by emphasizing a trait one considers more desirable
Compensation
This amino acid is the body's main inhibitory chemical messenger and helps regulate anxiety
Gamma-aminobutyric acid or GABA
This neurotransmitter is excitatory. It plays a role in learning, memory, and cognitive functioning
Integrating the beliefs and values of another individual into one's own ego structure
Introjection
An attempt to increase self-worth by acquiring certain attributes and characteristics of an individual one admires
Identification
Intellectualization
This powerful hormone acts in the brain to promote social recognition, bonding, and feelings of love
Oxytocin
This hormone and neurotransmitter is released when the person is under extreme stress or fright
Epinephrine
preventing unacceptable or undesirable thoughts or behaviors from being expressed by exaggerating opposite thoughts or types of behaviors
reaction formation
Symbolically negating or cancelling out an experience that one finds intolerable
Undoing
Rechanneling of drives or impulses that are personally or socially unacceptable into activities that are constructive
Sublimation
This neurotransmitter is associated with motor neurons and with memory and learning
Acetylcholine
This chemical acts as a neuromodulator in the brain to suppress arousal and improve sleep
Adenosine