Compartmentalization is a form of psychological defense mechanism in which thoughts and feelings that seem to conflict are kept separated or isolated from each other in the mind.
[2] It may be a form of mild dissociation; example scenarios that suggest compartmentalization include acting in an isolated moment in a way that logically defies one's own moral code, or dividing one's unpleasant work duties from one's desires to relax.
[7] Otto Kernberg has used the term "bridging interventions" for the therapist's attempts to straddle and contain contradictory and compartmentalized components of the patient's mind.
[9] Compartmentalization may lead to hidden vulnerabilities related to self-organization and self-esteem[10] in those who use it as a major defense mechanism.
[2] Positive self-concept can be kept safe through the use of compartmentalization, specifically for those who have experienced sexual trauma and have, subsequently, been diagnosed with PTSD.
[14] Doris Lessing considered that the essential theme of The Golden Notebook was "that we must not divide things off, must not compartmentalise.