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defense

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Legal, Acronyms, Idioms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.10 sec.
defense /de·fense/ (de-fens´) behavior directed to protection of the individual from injury.
character defense  any character trait, e.g., a mannerism, attitude, or affectation, which serves as a defense mechanism.
insanity defense  a legal concept that a person cannot be convicted of a crime if he lacked criminal responsibility by reason of insanity at the time of commission of the crime.

de·fense (d-fns)
n.
A means or method that helps protect the body or mind, as against disease or anxiety.

de·fensive (-fnsv) adj.

defense
[də·fens′]
Etymology: L, defendere, to ward off
the practice of, or measures taken to ensure, self-protection.

defense,
n the reasons, in law or fact, offered by the defendant in a legal proceeding as to why the plaintiff should not prevail.
defense cell,
defense mechanism,
n an unconscious, intrapsychic reaction that offers protection to the self from threatening or stressful situations. Defense mechanisms may be useful to diminish anxiety and facilitate coping behaviors, or may be harmful because of denying, displacing, isolating, or repressing anxiety and preventing useful coping responses.

defense
1. against infection, including hematological and immunological systems.
2. behavior directed to protection of the individual from injury.

defense mechanisms
means by which the host repels invading organisms; externally, these include the barrier provided by the skin and epithelial lining of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary and respiratory tracts, together with their secretions and normal microflora, and internally, phagocytic cells, humoral and cellular immunity.
defense reaction
the physiological reaction to emotional stress, particularly fear, includes tachycardia, increased cardiac output, vasodilation in skeletal muscle, elevation of blood pressure. Behavioral responses include alerting and aggressive behavior.

defense
Medical malpractice Any legal argument offered by a defendant that would either preclude or mitigate recovery of damages for a wrong allegedly committed by a defendant. See Affirmative defense, Black rage defense, Character defense, Insanity defense Psychology A mechanism by which a person minimizes harm to his/her psyche or to control anxiety. See Defense mechanism.

Patient discussion about defense.

Q. How have people coped with dealing with depression? I have bi-polar II mixed disorder and I have been a candidate for no medication. I haven't taken medication for the last 3 years. I've recently been struggling with alleviating my depression.

A. I favour a multidimensional approach to treating depression, and bipolar disorder, without use of medication. Some methods used are: Occupational therapy. Omega 3 fish oil, and/or herbal remedies and supplements, such as inositol, 5HTP, or SAMe, relaxation techniques, mood chart & daily activities schedule, and Cognitive Therapy, or Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy. I suggest that you check them out in section 2, on depression, at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris View page R first. Bipolar disorder is addressed in section 10, and includes: BIPOLAR: PAGE J. BIPOLAR DISORDER TREATMENT - SUPPLEMENTS. 277 17:41:39 - 27/12/2007
HERBS FOR BIPOLAR(K) - TREATING BIPOLAR DISORDER WITH HERBS. 204 17:44:32 - 27/12/2007
VITAMINS FOR BIPOLAR - TREATING BIPOLAR DISORDER WITH VITAMINS. 224 00:33:29 - 27/12/2007
MINERALS FOR BIPOLAR - TREATING BIPOLAR DISORDER WITH MINERALS.
See page O first.

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