--- product_id: 21246320 title: "Why Do I Do That?: Psychological Defense Mechanisms and the Hidden Ways They Shape Our Lives" price: "18605CFA" currency: XOF in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.sn/products/21246320-why-do-i-do-that-psychological-defense-mechanisms-and-hidden store_origin: SN region: Senegal --- # Why Do I Do That?: Psychological Defense Mechanisms and the Hidden Ways They Shape Our Lives **Price:** 18605CFA **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Why Do I Do That?: Psychological Defense Mechanisms and the Hidden Ways They Shape Our Lives - **How much does it cost?** 18605CFA with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.sn](https://www.desertcart.sn/products/21246320-why-do-i-do-that-psychological-defense-mechanisms-and-hidden) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description Do you ever wonder “Why do I do that?” Why you react, avoid, or shut down in certain situations? This groundbreaking psychology book by Joseph Burgo Ph.D. is a guide to understanding the hidden forces shaping your emotions, behaviors, and relationships. Written for students, beginners, and anyone curious about psychology, self-help, or emotional healing, this book explains how psychological defense mechanisms like denial, projection, and repression impact your mental health and everyday decisions. With simple explanations, exercises, and real-life applications, it helps readers explore unconscious patterns and take steps toward emotional freedom. What you’ll gain from this book: A clear understanding of human psychology and how the unconscious mind works. Tools to recognize and manage your own emotions more effectively. Practical exercises for emotional intelligence, healing, and self-discovery. Insights from psychotherapy and emotion-focused therapy without the jargon. Guidance to break free from patterns that damage relationships, confidence, and self-esteem. Unlike other self-help books or general psychology books, this one blends expert knowledge with accessible self-exploration, making it equally valuable for college students, professionals, and anyone seeking personal growth. Whether you’re interested in abnormal psychology, emotional intelligence, psychotherapy, or simply want a deeper understanding of yourself, Why Do I Do That? is the essential self-help book for mental health, healing, and emotional growth. Discover the secrets behind your actions and start your journey to true self-discovery with Why Do I Do That? Review: Very interesting and readable self-help book - I came to this self-help book through Dr. Burgo’s honest and insightful blog “After Psychotherapy.” I’ve long been fascinated by the topic of psychological defense mechanisms, which I first learned about in therapy and later studied in psych classes. I think they represent one of the more helpful topics discussed in psychotherapy. Dr. Burgo explains the role of the basic defenses with clear descriptions and relatable examples culled from his 30+ years in practice. Some, like repression and denial, have become part of our general lexicon, but others, such as splitting and displacement, are lesser known. Although we are often unaware of it, all of us rely on defenses (to a greater or lesser degree) to shield ourselves from emotional pain. Our personalities are partly determined by which ones we employ. They only become problematic for us and interfere with our relationships when we overuse them. If we find ourselves doing so, it can be helpful to explore feelings that are buried beneath the surface, to see why we may be relying so heavily on defenses mechanisms. While this may be best done in therapy, it is possible to do it on our own to some extent, and Why Do I Do That? facilitates this self-exploration. Throughout the book, Dr. Burgo gently encourages us to peel back our protective layers and face what’s there, however unattractive or uncomfortable those thoughts and feelings might be, in order to discover what’s behind our undesired behaviors. The goal is to gradually be able to accept a broad range of emotions so that we no longer have the need to cover them up. Burgo suggests that once we determine not only which defenses we are using, but more importantly why, we can begin to reduce their use and become more honest and successful in our relationships. Review: Great help great book - My son is 18, I am 49. This book says all the things we feel and think and couldn't put it in words. This really is a great book ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #30,374 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #78 in Emotional Mental Health #181 in Self-Esteem (Books) #612 in Personal Transformation Self-Help | | Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,254 Reviews | ## Images ![Why Do I Do That?: Psychological Defense Mechanisms and the Hidden Ways They Shape Our Lives - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61GXMPjtRmL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very interesting and readable self-help book *by E***I on January 22, 2014* I came to this self-help book through Dr. Burgo’s honest and insightful blog “After Psychotherapy.” I’ve long been fascinated by the topic of psychological defense mechanisms, which I first learned about in therapy and later studied in psych classes. I think they represent one of the more helpful topics discussed in psychotherapy. Dr. Burgo explains the role of the basic defenses with clear descriptions and relatable examples culled from his 30+ years in practice. Some, like repression and denial, have become part of our general lexicon, but others, such as splitting and displacement, are lesser known. Although we are often unaware of it, all of us rely on defenses (to a greater or lesser degree) to shield ourselves from emotional pain. Our personalities are partly determined by which ones we employ. They only become problematic for us and interfere with our relationships when we overuse them. If we find ourselves doing so, it can be helpful to explore feelings that are buried beneath the surface, to see why we may be relying so heavily on defenses mechanisms. While this may be best done in therapy, it is possible to do it on our own to some extent, and Why Do I Do That? facilitates this self-exploration. Throughout the book, Dr. Burgo gently encourages us to peel back our protective layers and face what’s there, however unattractive or uncomfortable those thoughts and feelings might be, in order to discover what’s behind our undesired behaviors. The goal is to gradually be able to accept a broad range of emotions so that we no longer have the need to cover them up. Burgo suggests that once we determine not only which defenses we are using, but more importantly why, we can begin to reduce their use and become more honest and successful in our relationships. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great help great book *by W***F on February 18, 2026* My son is 18, I am 49. This book says all the things we feel and think and couldn't put it in words. This really is a great book ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ More self-discovery than self-help. *by R***D on April 21, 2014* Overall a great book that covers various defense mechanisms. The author presents the info in a clear manner and provides relevant examples to clarify each point. He delves into the root causes of how we develop defense mechanisms and addresses the impact they have on our behavior. Ultimately, the author discusses how to overcome our defense mechanisms by applying techniques such as focusing on breathing. Pros: - Great coverage of the material presented. - Interesting dissection of the root causes of defense mechanisms. - Useful exercises to help the reader discover which defense mechanisms apply to him. Cons: - The material was presented in a fashion that seemed slightly haphazard. The author's references seemed to jump around a bit. - The topics weren't indexed. So if I just wanted to look up anger, I had to read sections that didn't apply. - Not enough time was spent on the "fixes". Coverage of how to overcome defense mechanisms was relegated to the last section. Nevertheless, I highly recommend this for someone looking to discover why people behave the way they do. ## Frequently Bought Together - Why Do I Do That?: Psychological Defense Mechanisms and the Hidden Ways They Shape Our Lives - How to Stop Being Toxic: Quit Manipulative Behaviors, Avoid Hurting the People You Love, and Start Healthy Relationships - How to Listen, Hear, and Validate: Break Through Invisible Barriers and Transform Your Relationships (How to be More Likable and Charismatic) --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.sn/products/21246320-why-do-i-do-that-psychological-defense-mechanisms-and-hidden](https://www.desertcart.sn/products/21246320-why-do-i-do-that-psychological-defense-mechanisms-and-hidden) --- *Product available on Desertcart Senegal* *Store origin: SN* *Last updated: 2026-06-01*