--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If I didn't know better, I'd think I…" description: "\"“If I didn't know better, I'd think I suffer from some sort of Tourette's-autism hybrid, but Dr. Pat insists I can control the impulse to say whatever ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68f/corey-ann-haydu-30456_defense-mechanism_if-i-didn-t-know-better-i-d-think-i-suff_2518094.jpg" --- # If I didn't know better, I'd think I suffer from some sort… ![“If I didn't know better, I'd think I suffer from some sort of Tourette's-autism hybrid, but Dr. Pat insists I can control the impulse to say whatever pops into my head. That it's, like, a defensive mechanism, not a biological imperative. Therapists think everything is a defense mechanism. Just my…” quote by Corey Ann Haydu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68f/corey-ann-haydu-30456_defense-mechanism_if-i-didn-t-know-better-i-d-think-i-suff_2518094.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68f/corey-ann-haydu-30456_defense-mechanism_if-i-didn-t-know-better-i-d-think-i-suff_2518094.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68f/corey-ann-haydu-30456_defense-mechanism_if-i-didn-t-know-better-i-d-think-i-suff_2518094.jpg) > ““If I didn't know better, I'd think I suffer from some sort of Tourette's-autism hybrid, but Dr. Pat insists I can control the impulse to say whatever pops into my head. That it's, like, a defensive mechanism, not a biological imperative. Therapists think everything is a defense mechanism. Just my thinking that in my head, right now, is a defense mechanism.”” [Corey Ann Haydu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-ann-haydu/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker suggests that thoughts and impulses may be defensive strategies rather than innate biological drives, implying they can be managed consciously. **In simple terms:** Thoughts can be defensive, not just biological. Key Takeaway Recognize and control defensive thoughts. Themes psychology self-awareness defense mechanisms mental health Mood introspective analytical Type personal psychological When to use this quote - therapy sessions - self-reflection - stressful work environments Key Concepts cognitive control defense theory mindfulness Questions to Reflect On - How can you identify when a thought is a defense? - What strategies help you control impulsive thoughts? A Different Perspective Not all impulses are purely biological; some may be rooted in deeper emotional issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Defense mechanism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defense-mechanism/) [Defensive Mechanism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defensive-mechanism-1222760/) [Imperative Therapists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imperative-therapists-1222759/) [Right now](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right-now/) [Therapists Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/therapists-think-1222757/) [Tourette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tourette/) [Tourette Autism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tourette-autism-1222758/) ## Related quotes > [“How many therapists does it take to change a lightbulb? How many therapists do you think it takes to change a lightbulb?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrison-keillor/how-many-therapists-does-it-take-to-change-a-lightbulb-how-many/) [Garrison Keillor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrison-keillor/) > [Living with Tourette's is not easy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-howard/living-with-tourette-s-is-not-easy/) [Tim Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-howard/) > [It's very important that we do show appreciation for those who go to work in raising awareness. You know, Tourette Syndrome is not well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dash-mihok/it-s-very-important-that-we-do-show-appreciation-for-those-who-go-to/) [Dash Mihok](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dash-mihok/) > [I've got Tourette's, practically. I'll tell anyone anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helena-bonham-carter/i-ve-got-tourette-s-practically-i-ll-tell-anyone-anything/) [Helena Bonham Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helena-bonham-carter/) > [“I think I have a kind of Tourette's syndrome where if you're not supposed to say something, it becomes very attractive to do so.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bono/i-think-i-have-a-kind-of-tourette-s-syndrome-where-if-you-re-not/) [Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bono/) > [Context is everything. Dress me up and see. I'm a carnival barker, an auctioneer, a downtown performance artist, a speaker in tongues, a senator…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-lethem/context-is-everything-dress-me-up-and-see-i-m-a-carnival-barker-an/) [Jonathan Lethem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-lethem/) > [I've have a number of violent tics. With Tourette syndrome, there's not just compulsive actions, but compulsive thoughts as well. That used to scare…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dash-mihok/i-ve-have-a-number-of-violent-tics-with-tourette-syndrome-there-s-not/) [Dash Mihok](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dash-mihok/) > [“Birds are and always have been reincarnated old men with Tourette's syndrome having somehow managed to dupe the reproductive saga. They fuck each other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-cobain/birds-are-and-always-have-been-reincarnated-old-men-with-tourette-s/) [Kurt Cobain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-cobain/) > [I try and tell all the kids that I meet that hope to be amazing one day and be a professional athlete or a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-howard/i-try-and-tell-all-the-kids-that-i-meet-that-hope-to-be-amazing-one/) [Tim Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-howard/) > [I think people would be suprised at how much we curse when we screw up. I'm like somebody with Tourette's Syndrome.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-eads/i-think-people-would-be-suprised-at-how-much-we-curse-when-we-screw/) [George Eads](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-eads/) > [The rhythm of music is very, very important for people with Parkinson's. But it's also very important with other sorts of patients, such as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-sacks/the-rhythm-of-music-is-very-very-important-for-people-with-parkinson/) [Oliver Sacks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-sacks/) > [Life is what you make of it, unless you have tourette's, in which case much becomes involuntary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dov-davidoff/life-is-what-you-make-of-it-unless-you-have-tourette-s-in-which-case/) [Dov Davidoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dov-davidoff/) > [“Harb was a ticking time bomb. It was like watching a preacher with Tourette syndrome. You knew the "Shit! Balls!" was coming at some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-corwin/harb-was-a-ticking-time-bomb-it-was-like-watching-a-preacher-with/) [John Corwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-corwin/) > [People believe that if you can shut your Tourette's off for a period of time, then you can always shut it off. I try…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dash-mihok/people-believe-that-if-you-can-shut-your-tourette-s-off-for-a-period/) [Dash Mihok](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dash-mihok/) > [“You can't just go around blurting out the truth like a prophet with Tourette's syndrome.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-moore/you-can-t-just-go-around-blurting-out-the-truth-like-a-prophet-with/) [Christopher Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-moore/) ## More by Corey Ann Haydu > [“I am a vacation. I am the Caribbean, and a fruity drink and a sunburn and a break from real life. But I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-ann-haydu/i-am-a-vacation-i-am-the-caribbean-and-a-fruity-drink-and-a-sunburn/) [Corey Ann Haydu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-ann-haydu/) > [“Love is insanity, apparently.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-ann-haydu/love-is-insanity-apparently/) [Corey Ann Haydu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-ann-haydu/) > [“I close my eyes and make a wish that I'll stop having OCD so that I can be a decent friend again. If I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-ann-haydu/i-close-my-eyes-and-make-a-wish-that-i-ll-stop-having-ocd-so-that-i/) [Corey Ann Haydu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-ann-haydu/) > [“Therapists. Always asking the same questions over and over in slightly different ways. They are, like, the Ultimate Thesauruses.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-ann-haydu/therapists-always-asking-the-same-questions-over-and-over-in-slightly/) [Corey Ann Haydu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-ann-haydu/) > [“If you love someone and they vanish, you are left nodding like a zombie and throwing teacups at a wall.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-ann-haydu/if-you-love-someone-and-they-vanish-you-are-left-nodding-like-a/) [Corey Ann Haydu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-ann-haydu/) > [“It feels like giving up. It feels like falling into bed after an all-night rave. It feels that right. It's surrender. It's that thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-ann-haydu/it-feels-like-giving-up-it-feels-like-falling-into-bed-after-an-all/) [Corey Ann Haydu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-ann-haydu/) > [“Carrying all of these thoughts is downright heavy .”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-ann-haydu/carrying-all-of-these-thoughts-is-downright-heavy/) [Corey Ann Haydu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-ann-haydu/) > [“I think of everything and I'm pretty sure if I could use my organizational skills for something else, like wildlife survival kits or preparing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-ann-haydu/i-think-of-everything-and-i-m-pretty-sure-if-i-could-use-my/) [Corey Ann Haydu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-ann-haydu/) > [“How could you live somewhere so icy cold and imposing, so clearly in conflict with the rest of the city, the rest of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-ann-haydu/how-could-you-live-somewhere-so-icy-cold-and-imposing-so-clearly-in/) [Corey Ann Haydu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-ann-haydu/) > [“Torture: knowing something makes no sense, doing it anyway.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-ann-haydu/torture-knowing-something-makes-no-sense-doing-it-anyway/) [Corey Ann Haydu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-ann-haydu/) > [“Torture: knowing something makes no sense, but doing it anyways.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-ann-haydu/torture-knowing-something-makes-no-sense-but-doing-it-anyways/) [Corey Ann Haydu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-ann-haydu/) > [“...The human mind is a complicated place...We hold on to things, images, words, ideas, histories that we don't even know we're holding on to.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-ann-haydu/the-human-mind-is-a-complicated-place-we-hold-on-to-things-images/) [Corey Ann Haydu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-ann-haydu/) > [“I try Dr. Pat's breathing exercises but they're not working because my entire mind is focused on keeping myself glued to the couch. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-ann-haydu/i-try-dr-pat-s-breathing-exercises-but-they-re-not-working-because-my/) [Corey Ann Haydu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-ann-haydu/) > [“I guess I wonder what it would be like, to be living their live instead of mine.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-ann-haydu/i-guess-i-wonder-what-it-would-be-like-to-be-living-their-live/) [Corey Ann Haydu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-ann-haydu/) > [“Feelings are like blankets, covering you up so you can't see clearly, or like mazes you can too easily get lost inside. I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-ann-haydu/feelings-are-like-blankets-covering-you-up-so-you-can-t-see-clearly/) [Corey Ann Haydu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-ann-haydu/) [Explore all 17 Corey Ann Haydu quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-ann-haydu/) ## More Defense mechanism quotes > [“How can you love someone when you know they will never truly love you back because they can’t ever love you back? Your brain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/portia-moore/how-can-you-love-someone-when-you-know-they-will-never-truly-love-you/) [Portia Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/portia-moore/) > [When you're walking at the airport, you're expected to smile at people because they know you... I find that tough. I'm only trying to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katrina-kaif/when-you-re-walking-at-the-airport-you-re-expected-to-smile-at-people/) [Katrina Kaif](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katrina-kaif/) > [Christianity has a built-in defense system: anything that questions a belief, no matter how logical the argument is, is the work of Satan by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/christianity-has-a-built-in-defense-system-anything-that-questions-a/) [Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/) > [Black people in America have to, for their own protection, develop a defense mechanism, and I just grew terribly tired of it. When you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randall-robinson/black-people-in-america-have-to-for-their-own-protection-develop-a/) [Randall Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randall-robinson/) > [“We live in an era where everyone is terrified of being caught trying. So, the defense mechanism is to pretend you never gave a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lokesh-tuli/we-live-in-an-era-where-everyone-is-terrified-of-being-caught-trying/) [Lokesh Tuli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lokesh-tuli/) > [“DENIAL Defense mechanism in which the existence of unpleasant realities is disavowed; refers to keeping out of conscious awareness any aspects of external reality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-sadock/denial-defense-mechanism-in-which-the-existence-of-unpleasant/) [Benjamin Sadock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-sadock/) > [When my wife and I met, I couldn't talk to her - and my defense mechanism is sarcasm. I belittle someone with verbal pokes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-vogel/when-my-wife-and-i-met-i-couldn-t-talk-to-her-and-my-defense/) [Mike Vogel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-vogel/) > [I don't really know. I think the first test is when you're very little and you fart, and you laugh at it and so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-mchale/i-don-t-really-know-i-think-the-first-test-is-when-you-re-very-little/) [Joel McHale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-mchale/) > [As a kid I was short and only weighed 95 pounds. And though I was active in a lot of Sports and got along…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-conway/as-a-kid-i-was-short-and-only-weighed-95-pounds-and-though-i-was/) [Tim Conway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-conway/) > [“Instead of seeing bad in yourself, you perceive it in others. It’s a defense mechanism. One that allows people to go on believing they’re…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/koren-zailckas/instead-of-seeing-bad-in-yourself-you-perceive-it-in-others-it-s-a/) [Koren Zailckas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/koren-zailckas/) > [The nerves of the skin send pain signals to the brain to warn us of the danger from and impending injury. In the case…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-levenkron/the-nerves-of-the-skin-send-pain-signals-to-the-brain-to-warn-us-of/) [Steven Levenkron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-levenkron/) > [Everyone is a little bitter. We're born bitter. The personality itself is really just a very complex defense mechanism. A reaction to the first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-maron/everyone-is-a-little-bitter-we-re-born-bitter-the-personality-itself/) [Marc Maron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-maron/) > [“Like a lot of people with mental illness, I spend a lot of time fronting. It’s really important to me to not appear crazy,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-e-smith/like-a-lot-of-people-with-mental-illness-i-spend-a-lot-of-time/) [S.E. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-e-smith/) > [There's hardly any precedent for a guy like me to have the career that I've had. Because I grew up the way I grew…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-singleton/there-s-hardly-any-precedent-for-a-guy-like-me-to-have-the-career/) [John Singleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-singleton/) > [I laugh when I see people in pain. Sometimes I think it is a defense mechanism from childhood, where you're in so much pain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-dick/i-laugh-when-i-see-people-in-pain-sometimes-i-think-it-is-a-defense/) [Andy Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-dick/) [Browse all 90 Defense mechanism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defense-mechanism/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“If I didn't know better, I'd think I suffer from some sort of Tourette's-autism hybrid, but Dr. Pat insists I can control the impulse to say whatever pops into my head. That it's, like, a defensive mechanism, not a biological imperative. Therapists think everything is a defense mechanism. 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