#Defense mechanism

[amnhnyc]

It's time for Trilobite Tuesday! Trilobites were among the first animals to develop the ability to enroll for protection. With their thick calcite shells, an enrolled trilobite could present quite the daunting challenge for any predator seeking an easy meal. Scientists think trilobites first started using this defensive position some 520 million years ago, during the Lower Cambrian. By the time Dipleura (pictured) inhabited the primal seas during the Devonian, trilobites had long-since mastered this art of rolling up into spherical “balls.” This specimen, found in Pennsylvania, is nearly 3 in (7.6 cm) in diameter.

[pratchettquotes]

"It's strange that they don't seem to mind you, Otto," he said, calming down a little.

"Vell, I am not official," said Otto. "I do not haf zer sword und zer badge. I do not threaten. I am just a vorking stiff. And I make zem laff."

Vimes stared at the man. He'd never thought about that before. But yes...little fussy Otto, in his red-lined black opera cloak with pockets for all his gear, his shiny black dress shoes, his carefully cut widow's peak and, not least, his ridiculous accent that grew thicker or thinner depending on whom he was talking to, did not look like a threat. He looked funny, a joke, a music-hall vampire. It had never previously occurred to Vimes that, just possibly, the joke was on other people. Make them laugh, and they're not afraid.

Terry Pratchett, Thud!

[lostillusionstuffs]

So this is what I Feel? okay

Lack of emotional response in situations where most people would feel something, is often referred to as emotional numbness or emotional detachment. This state can occur for various reasons, including stress, trauma, mental health conditions, or even as a defense mechanism to cope with overwhelming emotions.

[safe-haven-safe-place]

[ventsesh24]

Me reconnecting with nature after crashing out today and contemplating moving far far away from people

[howifeltabouthim]

He was impossible to read. Maybe that was part of being the best knight in the world, keeping your intentions veiled, so no one could exploit them. Maybe he'd mastered and armored his exterior so completely that nothing, not even his own emotions could get out. Or maybe it wasn't so much that he was unreadable as that somewhere in his long pursuit of invincibility he'd lost the ability to be read.

Lev Grossman, from The Bright Sword

[respect-the-locals]

🐠 Daily Fish Fact: 🐠

Gray Triggerfish: Locomotion in this fish is by means of undulations of the dorsal fins. If threatened, the fish can work its way into a protective crevice and wedge itself in place by erecting its front dorsal spine. It is difficult to dislodge from this position. The second spine is connected to the first and when it is depressed, it triggers the unlocking of the first spine.

[4funblr]

Am I the only one who defaults to sarcasm when I’m frustrated or annoyed?

No screaming, no shouting, just unappreciated ill timed wit to exasperate an otherwise unvolitile situation.

[johnschneiderblog]

Defense mechanism

My coping strategy for the next few days:

Whatever happens in the course of our human affairs, the natural order will abide.

The sun will still rise, autumn will become winter, the earth will persist in its steadfast journey around the sun, the moon will continue tp cast its reflection on Lake Huron ...

In other words, if the worst happens, I'll look for comfort and beauty - even more so than usual - in the things immune to human foibles.

[toad-in-a-trenchcoat]

@feralwaff1e

Creature has not seen such big thing before. Might be dangerous

[amnhnyc]

Let’s head to the Museum’s Hall of North American Mammals to take a peek at today’s Exhibit of the Day: the Spotted Skunk and Ringtail Diorama. This scene takes place in Shiprock, New Mexico, and features a spotted skunk doing a handstand. What for? It’s a warning to discourage the two curious ringtails from getting any closer. If this pose doesn’t work, the skunk will release jets of foul-smelling musk from glands under its tail. But ringtails also combine chemistry with defensive body language. Here, one ringtail has made its tail fur stand upright, creating the illusion of larger size. If the standoff escalates, the ringtail might curve its tail over its head, and—as a last resort—emit its own smelly secretion. 

Photo: D. Finnin / © AMNH

[cb-writes-stuff]

Fun Fact!

There’s a defense mechanism called reaction formation. Basically, it’s when you feel the opposite of what you really feel. Like when I’m not doing okay and start going “haha~” to my suffering!

[eananoor]

“нетерпимость по отношению к другим людям опережает строгость по отношению к себе. Я узнает, что достойно порицания, но защищается от неприятной самокритики при помощи этого защитного механизма. Сильное негодование по поводу чужих неправильных поступков - предшествование и замещение чувства вины по отношению к самому себе. Негодование Я возрастает автоматически, когда близится восприятие его собственной вины.”

Intolerance towards other people precedes strictness towards oneself. The ego learns what is worthy of censure but defends itself from unpleasant self-criticism with the help of this defense mechanism. Strong indignation about the wrong actions of others precedes and replaces the feeling of guilt towards oneself. The indignation of the ego increases automatically when the perception of its own guilt approaches.

Anna Freud (Psychoanalyst, Child Psychologist)

[briery]

Spicebush larva with osmeterium displayed When these caterpillars are confronted an orange forked gland flicks in and out like a tongue and secretes nasty smelling material. By John Flannery on Flickr. (Hi-Res).

[crystalsenergy]

the danger of (focusing only on) the Mind

in difficult moments

The mind has a tendency towards defense,

and with defense, being connected to this mechanism, in moments when we face some kind of threat, fear, or difficulty, the mind focuses on seeing the negative.

Since it feels that it is important to protect itself from everything, it soon understands that you must be on the defensive.

This is why pessimism tends to arise.

For in moments when something negative appears to deal with, the mind immediately wants to take us to defense.

It's as if the negative situation is, for the mind, a confirmation that everything is negative and that only evil exists. Hence the pessimism.

However, because it is an exaggerated state of defense, the mind falls into the traps of sadness, melancholy, aversion to opening up to others, generating anguish and melancholy.

Focusing on the heart, intuition, and feelings can save us from this. <3

For instead of insecurity, we will find some internal support and assistance. Instead of the inner voice saying that nothing is reliable, by relying on your heart and yourself, you can feel confidence in yourself.

It is important to remember that the more these things happen, the more the human mind deals with crystallized thoughts of pessimism, closing off from the world, defense, anger, and the need for isolation, precisely because it believes that life is only this.

Remember: you are not your state; states come and go, especially intense states that demonstrate phases of your life!

You are more than that. You are stronger than your own mind!

After all, it is only a part of you.

And the mind, lies!

[thefrankshow]

The Ego and the Mechanisms of Defense