Repetition and Reality: The Case of Contrast Defences

A specific class of defences—contrast defences—is introduced. The author first describes contrast reactions. In these reactions exposure to a reality that contrasts with a second (internally known, even if unconscious) reality evokes feelings connected with this second reality. A contrast defence is defined as a defensive manoeuvre motivated by the distressing feelings of a contrast reaction. Two clinical examples are presented, both of patients with unloving mothers. When presented with contrasting realities—people who were loving and caring—the painful feelings connected to their mother's lack of love threatened to emerge, and contrast defences, including avoiding such people, came into play. It is pointed out that the area of operation of contrast defences is quite wide: any distressing and/or traumatic situation can lead to a contrast defence—the avoidance of the contrasting, opposite reality. Finally, it is suggested that most contrast defences are attentional defences—defences that use shifts of attention to defend against awareness of unpleasant realities—and it is proposed that defences can be divided into two basic types: these attentional defences, and counterforce defences such as repression, which use a powerful counterforce to push strong affects and wishes into the unconscious.