Which defense mechanism often directly opposes Reaction Formation?

Reaction Formation is a defense mechanism in which an individual expresses feelings, thoughts, or behaviors that are the opposite of their true feelings. This is often used to manage anxiety or discomfort related to socially unacceptable impulses or feelings. In contrast, projection is a defense mechanism where individuals attribute their unacceptable thoughts and feelings onto others.

Since Reaction Formation involves acting in a way that directly contradicts one's inner thoughts or feelings, projection serves as a mechanism that allows individuals to see their unwanted feelings in others instead of acknowledging them within themselves. This creates a dynamic where the person's internal conflict is externalized onto another party, making projection an opposite concept to Reaction Formation, where one suppresses their own feelings by projecting them onto someone else.

Understanding this contrast highlights how these mechanisms serve different functions within the psyche, with Reaction Formation attempting to disguise feelings and projection shifting the focus of those feelings onto others. This distinction is critical in the practice of psychiatry and mental health as it guides therapeutic approaches to address these defense mechanisms effectively.