Why Do I Do That?: Psychological Defense Mechanisms and the Hidden Ways They Shape Our Lives

Do you ever feel mystified by choices you've made, actions you've taken, or things you've said and later wished you could have done otherwise? An understanding of your psychological defense mechanisms will shed light on these confusing behaviors.

Drawing on his 35+ years of experience as a psychotherapist, the author adapts the basic methods of his practice to a guided course in self-exploration, highlighting the universal role of defense mechanisms in warding off emotional pain. Even the best self-help books tend to stay on the surface, helping readers to modify their conscious thoughts and behaviors. Why Do I Do That? instead probes deeply into the unconscious.

With easy-to-understand explanations, the first part of this personal development book teaches you about the unconscious mind and the role of psychological defenses in excluding difficult feelings from awareness. Individual chapters in the longer middle section explore the primary defense mechanisms one by one, with exercises to help you identify your own defenses at work. The final part of this self improvement book offers guidance for how to disarm your defenses and cope more effectively with the unconscious feelings behind them.

Psychological defense mechanisms are an inevitable and necessary part of the human experience; but when they become too pervasive or deeply entrenched, they may damage our personal relationships, restrict or distort our emotional lives, and prevent us from behaving in ways that promote lasting self-esteem.