Compartimentalisatie

Compartimentalisatie is a Dutch term that refers to a psychological defense mechanism used to coping with stress, trauma, or anxiety. It involves separating undesirable thoughts, feelings, or experiences into mental compartments or boxes, in order to avoid confronting or dealing with them.

This defense mechanism was first described by psychiatrist Psychiater Daniel Lagache, who argued that it allows individuals to isolate their needs, desires, and unacceptable thoughts, while preserving a sense of normality and control. Compartimentalisatie can be seen as a way to manage emotional overload by compartmentalizing sensitive information, thereby preventing it from spreading to other areas of a person's life.

There are several types of compartimentalisatie, including:

Splitting, where individuals divide people or things into good or bad categories

Projection, where individuals attribute their unacceptable thoughts or impulses to someone else

Denial, where individuals refuse to acknowledge or accept reality

While compartimentalisatie may provide temporary relief or protection, it can have negative consequences in the long run, such as preventing personal growth, complicating relationships, or even contributing to the development of mental health disorders. Effective confrontation and working through of the underlying issues can help individuals overcome compartimentalisatie and develop healthier coping mechanisms.

In therapeutic settings, compartimentalisatie is often identified as a coping strategy that can be addressed through various forms of psychotherapy, such as psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, or dialectical behavior therapy.