Sometimes Reality Destroys Defense Mechanisms

The past few months we have witnessed the release of many undercover videos of interviews with planned parenthood staff members. Many of these videos have been graphic and shocking. As a therapist, my greatest concern is for the millions of people that have watched the videos who have had an abortion in their past and how these videos may be affecting them. This month's blog will focus on what happens to a person when certain defense mechanisms no longer work. 

Defense mechanisms serve a purpose in helping us survive the difficulties each one of us will go through throughout our lives. They may help one of us make it through the death of a loved one for example. Denial or rationalization may be ones that are used to make it through that difficult time. They may also help us get through any type of trauma. Minimization or intellectualization may be used as a way of surviving a trauma so as to to be overwhelmed or immobilized by the trauma. Sometimes these defense mechanisms allow us to repress or suppress the overwhelming pain of the reality of what has happened to  us. These defense mechanisms help us all survive and get through. 

For those who have experienced the decision to abort a child, similar defense mechanisms are used. They may include, denial that the unborn child was really a life or growing human being, minimization or rationalization that it wasn't a good time to have the child, or the child would be better off. Often times the reality of the choice for many is suppressed or repressed deep down in the psyche in order to survive without facing the reality of what happen in choosing to end a pregnancy. This is true for both men and women. 

The recent release of the videos has the potential to destroy some of the defense mechanisms people have put in place. The reality of seeing or hearing what actually takes place in an abortion clinic can break through some of those defenses or cause some to experience overwhelming symptoms of trauma as a result. This is why ultrasounds are often used as a deterrent in making a decision in a crisis pregnancy. The client is often able to see the baby developing in the womb and the defense mechanisms of rationalization or denial no longer work. 

As therapists working with clients who present with abortion related trauma in their past, we need to be more vigilant in both our screening and treatment process these next few months with our clients. Some of them may walk into our office with defense mechanisms that have been destroyed. They may be overwhelmed with their emotion that can no longer be suppressed or repressed. We need to be aware of how we might need to take extra time to walk with our clients through 
these emotions. We  also need to be aware of how they may be experiencing a wave of PTSD symptoms. We may need to work with them on coping skills to manage these symptoms. We  may need to screen for depression and anxiety and any suicidal thinking. We should also screen for any increase in addictive behaviors as a way of coping with these new symptoms. 

I believe wisdom and forethought is needed as to when people are able to handle certain realities. As a therapist who works with those who present with abortion related trauma, doing it in such a public way may serve the cause for some, but it's the client's who I am now concerned about.