A phenomenological diagnosis tells us what symptoms the patient has but not what causes them

• +..electronic


• +..Birmingham


• +..psyche

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Reaction formation is acting the opposite of what one feels. Help the patient see and let go of this defense, and then invite her to face her warded-off feeling. Th: Your boyfriend slapped you and called you names. What do you feel toward him for doing that? Pt: I understand why he did that. He had a bad relationship with his mother. So I decided to pay for his mortgage. [Defense: reaction formation. She acts the opposite of an adaptive feeling.] Th: That’s your understanding, but what’s the feeling toward him for slapping you and calling you names? [Point out the defense.] Pt: At the time I was angry. Th: Rather than feel your anger, you acted the opposite instead. [Point out the defense of reaction formation.]Pt: What do you mean? Th: Rather than feel your anger toward him, you covered it up with understanding. Then you acted the opposite of your anger. An angry woman doesn’t go out and pay his mortgage. [Point out the defense of reaction formation.] Pt: You’ve got a point there. Th: If we don’t act the opposite of your anger, can we have an honest look at this anger? Jon, Frederickson