DEFENSE MECHANISMS AND STRESS

Satir outlined four defensive positions that families use to
preserve the family system in times of stress. These are:

1/ Being super-reasonable

Behaving in this way is to avoid expressing emotions in an
attempt to avoid embarrassment by controlling oneself, others, and the
environment. People who behave in this way are regarded as being distant by
others.

2/ Being irrelevant

Someone whose behaviour is irrelevant tries to avoid stress
by engaging in distractions. They flit from one thing to the next because they
are fearful of facing up to the stress in case, they upset someone.

3/ Blaming

This is characterised by accusing others and not owning up to
one’s mistakes. People who take this stance seek to preserve their sense of
self by blaming others rather than taking responsibility for their loss of
self-esteem.

4/ Placating

Those who behave in this way are often weak and
self-effacing. They are…