Psychiatric Assessment and Fundamentals Q 22
A 60-year-old female client who lives alone tells the nurse at the community health center “I really don’t need anyone to talk to”. The TV is my best friend. The nurse recognizes that the client is using the defense mechanism known as?
A. Displacement
B. Projection
C. Sublimation
D. Denial
Correct Answer: D. Denial
The client statement is an example of the use of denial, a defense that blocks problems by unconscious refusing to admit they exist. Refusing to acknowledge that something is wrong is a way of coping with emotional conflict, stress, painful thoughts, threatening information and anxiety. The client can be in denial about anything that makes them feel vulnerable or threatens their sense of control, such as an illness, addiction, eating disorder, personal violence, financial problems or relationship conflicts. They can be in denial about something happening to them or to someone else.
Option A: Displacement involves taking out frustrations, feelings, and impulses on people or objects that are less threatening. Displaced aggression is a common example of this defense mechanism. Rather than express our anger in ways that could lead to negative consequences (like arguing with our boss), we instead express our anger towards a person or object that poses no threat (such as our spouse, children, or pets).
Option B: Projection is a defense mechanism that involves taking our own unacceptable qualities or feelings and ascribing them to other people. For example, if you have a strong dislike for someone, you might instead believe that they do not like you. Projection works by allowing the expression of the desire or impulse, but in a way that the ego cannot recognize, therefore reducing anxiety.
Option C: Sublimation is a defense mechanism that allows us to act out unacceptable impulses by converting these behaviors into a more acceptable form. For example, a person experiencing extreme anger might take up kick-boxing as a means of venting frustration.