Mental Hygiene
Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis in English, Bos/Cro/Serbian, English
Psychotherapy (and psychoanalysis, in particular) is one of the best ways for maintaining mental hygiene. We already have some scientific confirmation that once internal states and/or emotions are felt, and then articulated and translated into words – which is not always as trivial as it might seem – this can trigger a series of biological processes and mechanisms that are on the long term beneficial not only for the mental health but for our overall (physical) well-being.
A visit to a psychotherapist is nothing more than a part of the regular health care routine. At the same time, highlighting the aspects that can be useful for nurturing our psychic life and mental hygiene is also significant for promoting mental health and development.
Psychological Defense Mechanisms
Even though the phrases psychological defense(s) or defense mechanisms do not necessarily hold a very good reputation in the field, when closely observed, such defenses do bring a form of (psychic) balance or help maintain (psychic) homeostasis of a person. The main reason behind its perhaps unfavorable connotation is that, if applied in an ‘unhealthy or immature’ way – referring usually to the modes of functioning when we were very young, which was by default swift or automatic (i.e., non-reflective) – this usually does not benefit us on the long term, regardless of its potential immediate benefits.
Stemming directly from the field of psychoanalysis, psychological defense mechanisms do play an important role in our psychic lives. Here, some of the ‘good/healthy/mature’ defense mechanisms are addressed.
Humor
If ‘an apple a day, keeps a doctor away,’ then a good laugh a day can certainly keep a psychotherapist away. On a psychological level, humor can, at least temporarily, clear the gloominess of thought and can even gear an upcoming thinking process toward the clearer, brighter perspectives; sometimes, humor can incite our strength toward the path of the (unpleasant) reality acceptance. Physiologically, laughter raises oxygen levels in the blood, evoking the state as if an entire circularly system has been cleansed by the process. On both levels, the effects are achieved through the form of tension release.
Indeed, as everything in the realm of the psyche, if applied in a somewhat extreme manner (e.g., when used impulsively to ward off unpleasant state, or nervousness, or to channel hostility and cynicism), even humor is considered to be ‘defensive’ (implying ‘immature/unhealthy’ connotation), although usually with fairly innocent consequences. And clearly, pushing oneself to laugh when one does not feel as such, will not bring many merits, regardless of the beneficial effects of humor. Still, humor and laughter remain to be one of the healthiest and coolest defense mechanisms we have at disposal in our psychic repertoire.
Sublimation
When we are able to capture what we are thinking or feeling in the moment, regardless of how intense, negative, or conflictual this might be, and invest the energy of such a state into something good that is (personally and socially) acceptable – we have managed to sublimate. What makes the process of sublimation a ‘good/healthy’ defense is that it allows a discharge (instead of the mere waste) of the trapped psychic energy, while simultaneously upholding a behavior that is beneficial to a person and/or society. Examples of sublimation include expressing symbolically our current internal state by producing a piece of writing, painting or design, playing a composition in a way that mirrors our inner tune (e.g., joyfully, tenderly, sadly, aggressively), practicing sports et cetera.
Just as we cannot resolve all the unconscious conflicts, immature or ‘unhealthy’ behaviors, and negatively charged states, we cannot also endlessly just sublimate. Internal states that have been very intense for a long period of time require to be addressed with the other (e.g., in psychotherapeutic treatment). In this context, psychoanalysis, which stands for the pursuit of personal truth, makes a fair promise of weakening the power of any state or behavior that has made us a hostage, freeing the trapped psychic energy of such states, and opening up ground for the renewed, beneficial behaviors. A strengthened capacity for compassion for oneself, in the case of any remains of the previous form of functioning, also accompanies all the previous achievements.
Identification
Although the identification is not (only) a defense mechanism in the strict sense of the term, it is mentioned here for its favorable/advantageous possibilities. While growing up, we identify with (at least certain aspects) of our caregivers and/or people around us through the process that is to a great extent automatic. At the same time, given that development does not have a simple, linear, and straightforward course, this (automatic) identification can be accompanied by ruptures and impediments to healthy development. With respect to identification, if this newly formed dynamic is carried out and generalized into adult life, it can divest a person of the asset of having a ‘good/healthy’ role model and/or a goal they wish to strive toward.
When one is lucky enough to be surrounded with persons with whom one wishes to identify in her/his unique way, such a person usually lives in the way s/he has (more-less) chosen, understands their life, and often enjoys it regardless of the possible realistic imperfections. However, since identification is not an entirely automatic process, we can also decide to consciously execute its benefits by choosing a model and/or goal toward which we wish to invest our psychic energy. In the case our persistence does not withstand pressures of those early ruptures and obstructive processes of development, this then becomes an important topic to be addressed in the psychotherapeutic treatment.