(This blog was
originally posted on January 20, 2016)
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| Image courtesy of Microsoft |
Sometimes we subconsciously intellectualize or try to “explain away” our
feelings to temporarily “escape” the perceived/anticipated consequences of experiencing
a painful emotion. Instead of feeling frustrated, disappointed or even angry
when a plan doesn’t work out, the subconscious mind comes up with a list of
explanations why the plan wouldn’t
succeed. Rather than allow ourselves to feel or express sadness when a loved
one dies, we tell ourselves that this is better because the person is no longer
suffering/in pain, etc. This response, Intellectualization,
is a powerful defense mechanism that people often use to escape or avoid
feeling emotional pain. Rather than feel the emotion associated with an
uncomfortable or painful experience, the feelings are transferred into the
intellect where they feeling can be explained away rather than experienced.
Like
other defense mechanisms I have explained in previous blogs about defense
mechanisms, Intellectualization is characterized
by the following traits: 1) it is unconscious; 2) it is self-deceptive; 3) it
contains elements of denial; and 4) it distorts reality through thoughts and
action. Whenever we seem to successfully “avoid” suffering a possible
consequence by analyzing and explaining away a feeling, the apparent success of
this technique (i.e., suppressed crying or rage) reinforces our belief
(subconscious mental script) in the effectiveness of that strategy. The more
successful this technique is, the more likely the person is to intellectualize
emotions to repress these uncomfortable feelings at other times during their
life.
Remember,
defense mechanisms are fabulous temporary devices that can help us achieve such
security. According to John Kappas,
Ph.D.’s Theory of Mind, everyone is subconsciously motivated to maintain
and/or restore a known physical and
emotional status of comfort and security. Since the subconscious mind is
motivated and even programmed to seek this comfort, we may adopt those
defense-mechanism behaviors because we learned them from someone we trust who
does or used to do the same thing. The primary role of a defense mechanism is
to protect the subconscious mind from what it perceives as a threat or “pain”
of having to deal with an unknown. These behaviors really only provide a
temporary perception of control over the environment. Eventually, we must deal
with and resolve the primary issue that has triggered the defense mechanism to
achieve personal growth.
Just like
other defense mechanisms, Intellectualization is characterized by a specific
behavior or attitude of the person. In this case, the “tell” is, the disconnect
that exists between what the client is telling me about an emotional experience
and the individual’s facial expression. Also, rather than describing emotions
or feelings associated with the event, the person will explain what he or she thought/thinks about the situation. At this point, it is important for me to
“bust” or dismantle this emotional disconnect. In so doing, the client is able
give her- or himself permission to feel and experience as many of those
emotions as the individual can handle while in hypnosis.
For more
information about defense mechanisms, I invite you to read my other blogs about
this topic: Defense
Mechanisms: Projection and Projection Identification; Defense
Mechanisms: Undoing and Magical Thinking; Defense
Mechanisms: Denial; Defense
Mechanisms: Turning Against Self; The
Reaction Formation; and Going for
Cause.
Sara R. Fogan, C.Ht. is a certified hypnotherapist
based in Southern California. She graduated with honors from the Hypnosis Motivation Institute in 2005. For more information about Calminsense Hypnotherapy® and to set
up an appointment, please visit http://www.calminsensehypnotherapy.com/.
© 2016
