9/24/2016

CompartmentalizingPsychology|FlowPsychology

Compartmentalizing Psychology
May 11, 2014

Compartmentalizingisaphysiologicalbehaviorofapersoninresponsetoharmcausedby
frustratingconditionsderivedfromthesurroundingexternalenvironment.Thisisasubconscious
suddenactofthemindandbodytopreventoneselffromexcessivementalandphysicalstress
andarrogatingdiscomfortduetoapersonscontradictingactionagainstbeliefs,perspectives
andvalues.Environmentalstressplaysabigpartintriggeringsuchactionofdefense.

What is Compartmentalizing
Compartmentalizingisamannerofinvestingvastefforttoresolveinterpersonalandpersonal
emotionalproblem.Thisisamannerofsubconscioussuppressionofsentimentandthoughts
whichupsetsyoutocompletelydefendtheengagementofoneincertainbehaviors.The
negativesideaboutcompartmentalizingisthatifeverapersonhaddifficultiestoseparate
conflictingcognitions,itmayinitiateemotionalandmentalcomplications.
Oneradicalexampleofthis:peoplewhoaresufferingfromObsessiveCompulsiveDisorderor
OCDandareunderemotionalcompartmentalization.Peoplewhoacquirethisdisorder
continuouslywashestheirhandsforadozentimesinthebathroomsinkforashortmatterof
timewillnevergetthebathroomcleanedup,andthepersonwillhardlynoticethedirtinessof
thebathroom.Thiskindofsituationmightbeoutofsensetoanobserver.

Characteristics of Compartmentalizing
However,thecompartmentalizingpersonwhodoestheroutinegoesafterthelogicmatterinthe
situation.ThesignificantsenseforthepersonwhosuffersfromOCDregardinghisorher
http://flowpsychology.com/compartmentalizingpsychology/

1/2

9/24/2016

CompartmentalizingPsychology|FlowPsychology

behavioristhedesiretoleavethebathroomthoroughlyclean.ExcludingthethoughtofOCD
sufferers,evenyouandthepeoplesurroundingyouarepersistentlycarryingout
compartmentalizing.Itisagoodpracticeinsomeways.

Theattemptofseparatingworkstreamfromhomelifeisthebestwaytopreventadisturbing
impactofyourworkinthehome.Separateyourresponsibilityindependentlyonbothaspects.If
youareemotionallydamagedfromhome,donotcarrythathurtduringworkinghoursbecause
itwillnaturallyaffectyourperformance.
Separationofdoingsalsopertainstoexhibitingspecificworksoneatatime.Onewaytodothis
isbyavoidingmultitasking.Exercisingtasksinsimilarcompartmentwilldecreasethe
productivityofworknomatterhowyouthrowyourselfintodoingit.Listeningtowhatafriend
saysduringconversationwithoutinterruptionwillbeveryproductiveandwilleventuallyleadto
adeeperintimacybetweenfriendships.
Donotoverdocompartmentalization.Instead,measurethelimitofseparatingaspectsfrom
oneanother.Therearepeoplearoundyouwhowanttoknowaboutyourdailylife.Ifafriendor
familyasksyouaboutyourday,donothesitatetoshareyourthoughtsandhappeningsinyour
life.Donotbeafraidofopeninguptopicsthatisoutoftherangeofaspecificaspect.For
instance,tellyourparentsorsiblingsthatyouaredoingwellinyourjob.Thisbehaviorwillnot
ruinyourprocessofcompartmentalizing,butrather,itisawayofbalancingandmonitoringthe
awarenessofseparatingcognitionsandaffairsinlife.
May11,2014FlowPsychologyEditor

http://flowpsychology.com/compartmentalizingpsychology/

2/2