Ego Psychology Reflective Report

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This reflection paper is an observation on one of my experiences within the past three years. Prior to attending college, I was extremely close to my friend Kay, whom I met in high school. It was comfortable being vulnerable with him. This was my first time feeling such a way towards a romantic interest, and needless to say, I became emotionally attached to Kay. Our friendship ended abruptly during my second year in college. The feelings of abandonment and betrayal initially consumed me. I surprisingly regained my composure the following day for school – or so I thought. Although Kay expressed that he wish to remain friends, we have not spoken ever since. There has not been any developed romantic interests from the time when this occurred. …show more content…

It appears that my ego has been resorting to several different defense mechanisms when dealing with Kay’s rejection, all of which were unnoticed until Jake’s appearance. These defense mechanisms are meant to protect individuals from dangers and potential threat (Schamess & Shilkret, 2011). It was interesting to consider the emotional danger and intense fear of being unlovable in this particular experience of …show more content…

According to Vaillant’s (1992) hierarchy of defense mechanisms, three of the mechanisms I have identified within myself were pathological, immature, and neurotic, while one was mature. One aspect that was surprising was how even utilizing the mature defense mechanisms seemed to have consequently merge with the lower defense mechanisms. My thought suppression allowed focused attention, but after an extended period of time, it was as though it contributed to aspects of dissociation. One feature of the reading that I found difficulty incorporating was the concept regarding the relationship between early childhood anxiety and development of the psychosexual stages to my experience. It was challenging bridging the connection. Many of the memories from childhood were difficult to recall, but perhaps a further reflection may reveal more details that may relate to the interactions present in my

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