Primarily directed towards reality and adaptation
Strong ego or will utilizes volition to test what feels real
The understanding of that that proves necessary
The mastery of that which works
The enjoyment of the vital and the overcoming of the morbid
The child, through identifying with the mother, takes into her/himself functions the mother performed for her/him before her/his ego was developed enough to perform them for her/himself. Now she/he begins to assume control over her/his own ego functions. She/he develops: reality perception, frustration tolerance, impulse control, and *ego boundaries.
*fluid ego boundaries render it difficult to distinguish whether feelings and mental states are external or internal. With an impaired ego, projection is present, as well as confusing external circumstances with internal states.
Primitive mechanisms of defense:
- Denial and Clinging
- Avoidance and Distancing
- Projection
- Acting out (replacement for remembering and feeling - so, doomed to repeat)
*controlling acting out is vital for therapy since acting out discharges feelings and emotions in such a way that the person is not conscious of them for what they are, and hence cannot recognize and discuss them in therapy session.
We ward off abandonment depression. We starve it, stuff it (shame), or leave it. The underlying feelings are depression, panic, rage, guilt, emptiness, helplessness, and hopelessness.
