Defense mechanism?

[sarahjay]

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What is the defense mechanism in which a patient with cancer talks about her husband's medical problems?


Thanks in advance.

 

[babel]

Intellectualization? Assuming she's focusing on the details of diagnosis, treatment, prognosis etc while ignoring the emotional implications of the diagnosis (not sure if this is what you meant).

 

[loveoforganic]

Projection/sublimation?

 

[dnslay]

avoidance?

 

[whopper]

Not enough information.

 

[Eta Carinae]

What is the defense mechanism in which a patient with cancer talks about her husband's medical problems?


Thanks in advance.

Intellectualization? Assuming she's focusing on the details of diagnosis, treatment, prognosis etc while ignoring the emotional implications of the diagnosis (not sure if this is what you meant).

Hmmm.

Wouldn't it be intellectualization if she went into diagnosis, pathophys, prognonsis, stats for her own condition and not her husband's?

I was thinking more avoidance myself. Although I agree that more information is necessary.

 

[Regnvejr]

What is the defense mechanism in which a patient with cancer talks about her husband's medical problems?


Thanks in advance.

This fits several:

Avoidance - Not dealing with the issue at hand for now,

Displacement (though this is typically paired with aggression.) - Your emotional outlet is directed toward something emotionally/physically safer.

Repression - Choosing to not dealing with the issue right now until feeling ready for it, distract myself with what else worries me first.

They are all at differing levels of maturity. The more appropriate one is the one best fitting the maturity level of the cancer patient

 

[babel]

Hmmm.

Wouldn't it be intellectualization if she went into diagnosis, pathophys, prognonsis, stats for her own condition and not her husband's?

You're right - I misread the OP.

 

[worriedwell]

In my opinion, the most likely defense mechanism in this case is displacement.