Psych Terminologies

Denial

Refusing to accept reality or facts to avoid distress

Projection

Attributing one’s own unwanted thoughts/feelings to others

Regression

Reverting to earlier developmental behavior when stressed

Schizoid Fantasy

Retreating into imagination to escape conflict

Somatization

Converting emotional distress into physical symptoms

Controlling

Excessively managing situations to reduce anxiety

Displacement

Redirecting emotions from the original source to a safer substitute

Dissociation

Disconnecting from thoughts, identity, or reality to avoid distress

Externalization

Blaming others or the environment for one’s own internal conflicts

Inhibition

Holding back desires or actions due to unconscious fear or guilt

Intellectualization

Using excessive reasoning to avoid emotional stress

Isolation

Separating emotions from thoughts or memories

Rationalization

Justifying unacceptable feelings or behaviors with logical reasons

Reaction Formation

Expressing the opposite of one’s unacceptable impulse

Repression (Primary)

Blocking thoughts/feelings before they reach awareness

Repression (Secondary)

Pushing already-conscious thoughts into the unconscious

Sexualization

Assigning sexual meaning to non-sexual objects or events to cope with anxiety

Altruism

Deriving satisfaction from helping others, even at one’s expense

Anticipation

Planning ahead to reduce future stress or discomfort

Asceticism

Denying oneself pleasure for moral or goal-directed reasons

Humor

Expressing uncomfortable feelings in a socially acceptable, lighthearted way

Sublimation

Redirecting unacceptable impulses into socially valued activities

Libidinal Sublimation

Channeling sexual energy into creative or productive outlets

Aggressive Sublimation

Channeling aggression into competitive or constructive activities

Suppression

Consciously deciding to delay attention to a distressing thought or feeling

Acting Out

Expressing unconscious feelings through impulsive behavior

Passive Aggression

Indirectly expressing hostility through resistance or procrastination

Projective Identification

Projecting feelings onto another and unconsciously causing them to act accordingly

Omnipotence

Believing oneself to be all-powerful or above normal limitations

Idealization

Seeing others as perfect or flawless

Devaluation

Viewing others as worthless or bad

Splitting

Seeing people/things in extremes (all good or all bad)

Life Drive (Libido/Eros)

Instincts for survival, reproduction, and pleasure

Death Drive (Thanatos)

Instincts toward aggression, risk, or self-destruction

Free Association

Speaking freely to uncover unconscious thoughts

Transference

Redirecting feelings for important people onto the therapist

Libidinal Transference

Erotic or affectionate feelings toward the therapist

Aggressive Transference

Hostile or paranoid feelings toward the therapist

Transference of Defense

Using defenses within the transference relationship

Transference Neurosis

Patient’s unresolved childhood conflicts re-experienced in therapy

Transference Psychosis

Breakdown of reality testing in the transference relationship

Narcissistic Transference

Projection of narcissistic needs onto the therapist

Mirror Transference

Seeing the therapist as an extension of one’s self

Idealizing Transference

Attributing power or perfection to the therapist

Alter-ego/Twinship Transference

Experiencing the therapist as similar to oneself

Archaic Merger Transference

Therapist experienced as fused with the self

Self-object Transference

Experiencing the therapist as essential to maintaining self-cohesion

Transitional Relatedness

Relating to the therapist as a transitional object

Transference as Psychic Reality

Seeing transference as part of one’s personal reality

Transference as Relational/Intersubjective

Transference co-created between therapist and patient

Countertransference

The therapist’s emotional response to the patient