“You ever saw a parent who constantly throws tantrum whenever they’re stressed or overwhelmed? ”
They might be acting out an unconcious impulse.
Definition of Acting Out.
Acting Out is a defense mechanism where unconcious wishes, emotions or conflicts are expressed through behaviours and actions.
The actions are just a mask of the underlying conflicts.
The individual acting out might have no concious awareness of the source of his behaviours
What are Ego defense Mechanisms.
Ego defense mechanisms are the unconcious techniques we employ to protect ourselves from discomfort and pain. According to Sigmund Freud, the defense mechanism help alleviate the anxiety that may arise from the conflicts between the superego, Id and the outside environment. One such defense mechanism is what we’re talking about named, Acting Out.
Examples of Acting Out.
•A kid who resents his parents expressing disobedient behaviours.
• One may feign sickness to get attention. This might be a child or an adult.
• Destructive habits such as Smoking , drug taking or promiscuity to mask an underlying impulse.
• A young kid might also throw tantrums or cry to get attention from parents.
• Showing off or bragging can be behaviours to express underlying insecurities and unresolved conflicts.
•An Employee that’s facing pressure at work might start missing out on deadlines.
• One storms out of a meeting after a colleague says something unconducive to them.
•Phone scrolling or eating to fill an inner void or escape uncomfortable feelings of loneliness.
• One self sabotages his efforts out of the fear of success. Consciously they desire success but unconsciously they have a fear of success.
A parent who slams a door or hits a remote to the floor in moments of anger.
Acting Out and Repetitive Compulsion.
Closely related to the concept of acting out is repetition Compulsion. According to Freud, Sometimes we reenact past emotional experiences in the present. This may be in effort to master an unresolved conflict in the present or express unconscious emotional conflicts, feelings or desires.
We’re drawn to painful and risk situations to reenact being victims again. A girl raised by an abusive father drawn to abusive men.
Identification and Acting Out.
Sometimes, acting out behaviours might have been learned or imitated from role models and family members especially parents.
For instance; A boy raised by parents who fought constantly instead of communicating in moments of conflicts might unconsciously adopt the same behaviour when faced with a conflict with his future partner.
Acting Out and Trauma.
Studies have shown a strong correlation between Trauma and acting out behaviours of self destruction such as smoking, drug use and promiscuity.
The risky behaviours convert an unconcious Trauma’s into active control in attempt to avoid the discomfort. They also give one an illusion of being in control.
To Manage Acting Out;
Self awareness – Awareness is a great weapon.
Go for an expressive therapy
Learn to talk it out