User:SethBruder/Psychological resistance

= Psychological resistance = From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to navigationJump to search This article is about resistance in clinical psychology. For the psychoanalytic theory, see Resistance (psychoanalysis). For other uses, see Resistance. Psychological resistance, also known as psychological resistance to change, is the phenomenon often encountered in clinical practice in which patients either directly or indirectly exhibit paradoxical opposing behaviors in presumably a clinically initiated push and pull of a change process. In other words, the concept of psychological resistance is that patients are likely to resist physician suggestions to change behavior or accept certain treatments regardless of whether that change will improve their condition. It impedes the development of authentic, reciprocally nurturing experiences in a clinical setting. It is established that the common source of resistances and defenses is shame. This and similar negative attitudes may be the result of social stigmatization of a particular condition, such as psychological insulin resistance towards treatment of diabetes.

Examples of psychological resistance may include perfectionism, criticizing, disrespectful attitude, being self-critical, preoccupation with appearance, social withdrawal, need to be seen as independent and invulnerable, or an inability to accept compliments or constructive criticism.

Psychoanalytic origins[edit]
Main article: Resistance (psychoanalysis)

The discovery of resistance (German: Widerstand) was central to Sigmund Freud's theory of psychoanalysis: for Freud, the theory of repression is the cornerstone on which the whole structure of psychoanalysis rests, and all his accounts of its discovery "are alike in emphasizing the fact that the concept of repression was inevitably suggested by the clinical phenomenon of resistance". Freud's theory established psychological resistance as a passive, unconscious process. It inherently places blame on patients for the inability to accept proper treatment as an avoidance measure. It failed to consider patients having deliberate, conscious concerns relating to treatment that is driving their psychological resistance. This is known as realistic resistance.

Contemporary understandings[edit]
 Realistic Resistance[edit] 

Realistic resistance is the understanding of the conscious and deliberate aspect of psychological resistance in therapeutic treatment. "Realistic resistance refers to clients’ conscious, deliberate opposition to therapeutic initiatives that they fail to understand or accept". There are several things a individual may disagree with in the therapy setting that can lead to realistic psychological resistance, such as general therapeutic technique or words and phrases utilized by a physician or therapist.

Realistic resistance can be identified by behavioral markers. Some examples include avoidance of certain lines of questioning, outright refusal to cooperate, and sudden loss of effort and interest during sessions.