Increase your self-esteem by understanding the primitive defense mechanism withdrawal (1 minute read)

This post “Increase your self-esteem by understanding the primitive defense mechanism withdrawal“ continues with how you can increase your self-esteem by getting to know and manage your thoughts and feelings.

Increase your self-esteem by understanding the primitive defense mechanism withdrawal:

Withdrawal is a defense mechanism used to shield oneself from a difficult or threatening situation. This can be done physically by leaving or falling asleep. It can also be done mentally by reverting into one’s inner world.

Withdrawal also involves avoiding any situations or other reminders of painful or stressful thoughts and emotions.

This can lead to avoiding many normal activities. Therefore, withdrawal is one the most severe defense mechanisms because it can lead to loneliness and isolation, which create more anxiety and pain.

For example a tired child that protects itself by going to sleep. Or a child exposed to fighting parents reverting into fantasy.

Or when a person wants to escape by suddenly becoming silent or leaving the room in the middle of an intense discussion.

Withdrawal allows the person to escape from a painful or threatening reality without distorting it and does not usually create an erroneous interpretation of the reality.

More about how you can increase your self-esteem in the next post. See also the free blog or the course How to develop self-esteem and boost your confidence at https://jennyrappbefree.com