Coping mechanisms
Whatarecoping mechanisms?
AccordingtotheUnitedStatesNational LibraryofMedicine,Copingisdefinedas: “...thethoughtsandbehaviorsmobilized tomanageinternalandexternalstressful situations.Itisatermuseddistinctively forconsciousandvoluntarymobilization ofacts,differentfrom'defense mechanisms'thataresubconsciousor unconsciousadaptiveresponses,bothof whichaimtoreduceortoleratestress.”
Therefore,acopingmechanismisthe conciouswayinwichonetriestodivert stress.
Thecharacterswewillanalize
inthisworkare: Louise,from“TheFatGirl”byAndre Dubus,Osei,from“NewBoy”byTracy Chevallier,Lionelfrom“Teacher´s Dead”byBenjaminZephaniah,and Peter,from“TheDaydreamer”byIan McEwan.
Afterthoroughinvestigationand discussionbytheteam,wehave reachedtheconclusionthatthecoping mechanismspresentedbyeachofthis charactersareasfollows:
Overeating
Louise’slifeintheshortstoryisbothrealisticandtragic, amasterfulbalancebytheauthor.Whilewethinkits horriblethatherownmotherwon’taccepthersolelyby aquestionofhowmanypoundsshewheighs,thiskind oftreatmentisnotuncommon,especiallyforwomen.
ThislifehasmadeLouiseunhappytoatremendous degree,andthemultiplestrictdietsshehastofollowas anattempttoachievehermother’sapprovalleaveher hungryafterdinner.Asasolution,thegirlsecretlyeats unhealthyamountsofcandyinsecret.Now,thefactshe eatscandyandchocolateisnocoincidence:Thissweet delightnaturallyreleasesendorphines,thehormones thatcauseustofeelpleasureandhapiness,soinavery lightway,Louiseishelpingherselffeelhappier,buthas developedaveryrealaddictionandrelianceonthis food.
Closingyourselfto others
Closingyourselfto othersisanunhealthy copingmechanism andanexampleof isolationandisusually usedwhenyou’re afraidofgetting judgedbadlyby othersandit’s commoninkidsand teenagers.
Hurting Others
Hurtinganotherasadefense mechanism,thisbehavior mayarisefrompast experiencesoftrauma, abuse,orrejection.When someonefeelshelpless,they maylearntohurtothersasa waytoprotectthemfrom futurehurt.Inthenovel "teacher'sdead",the characterLionelusedtohurt othersasadefense mechanismforhisdifficult situationathome.Heusedto hurtandkillcatsandalso usedtoisolatehimselfwith hisfriendRamzi.
daydreaming(escapism)
Peterusesdaydreamingasacoping mechanism,toescaperealityandhandle thestresshegoesthrough.Insteadof confrontingdifficultsituationsforhim,he entersinimaginaryandfakeworldswhere hehascontrol.Thesefantasiesbecomea refugefromhisdailychaosandproblems.
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