A patient who has been sexually abused continues to describe the situation as if it happened to a friend instead. This patient is presenting the defense mechanism of

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient is using dissociation as a defense mechanism, which involves mentally separating oneself from one's emotions or experiences. In this case, the patient may be dissociating from the trauma of their abuse by describing it as happening to a friend instead of acknowledging it as happening to themselves.

A Patient Who Has Been Sexually Abused Continues to Describe