DEFENSE MECHANISM IN PATIENT WITH MAJOR DEPRESSIVE AND OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to explore the defense mechanisms which are used by the patients of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in Pakistan. Sample of 60 patients (MDD= 30; OCD= 30) were obtained from different psychiatric units in hospitals of Lahore. The results indicated that immature defenses were more commonly employed by the patients of Major Depressive Disorder while patients with OCD used more neurotic defense. It was also revealed that patients with OCD used the defense mechanism of acting out, undoing, intellectualization, splitting others more than the patients of Major Depressive Disorder.