Vertical unconsciousness and new defense mechanisms
Abstract
This paper explores the observed transformations in the Ego of clients in the contemporary era, connecting these changes to broader shifts in culture, the structure of modern Western society— under whose strong influence Serbia also falls—lifestyle alterations, and the prevailing value system. These cultural dynamics are examined through the conceptual frameworks of repressive, narcissistic, and perverse cultures. In examining changes in the Ego, the paper introduces the concept of the vertical unconscious, which differs from the traditional horizontal unconscious. While the horizontal unconscious is primarily organized around the defense mechanism of repression, the vertical unconscious is structured through mechanisms such as splitting and atomization. The paper also addresses newly emerging defense mechanisms, with particular attention to mechanisms aimed at avoiding psychic merging. A dominant defense identified in this context is partialism, understood as a core mechanism in the vertical unconscious. These mechanisms contribute to a state of unconscious disconnection between the conscious layers of the psyche, further complicating internal integration.
Keywords: vertical unconscious, defense mechanisms, ego, splitting, repression, atomization, narcissism, perversion