What is it called when a patient discusses disturbing events but appears to be calm?

The correct answer is intellectualization. This defense mechanism involves the process where an individual processes distressing thoughts and emotions through a rational or logical lens, often leading to a superficial calmness. When a patient talks about disturbing events but appears calm, it signifies that they are not allowing themselves to feel the emotional impact of those events. Instead, they might focus on the facts or details in a detached manner, which is a hallmark of intellectualization. This can lead to a sense of emotional distancing from the distressing content, allowing the person to maintain a facade of composure despite discussing something that might otherwise provoke strong emotional reactions.

The other concepts, while related to defense mechanisms, do not quite reflect this particular behavior. Denial involves refusing to accept reality, projection consists of attributing one's own feelings or thoughts to others, and rationalization refers to justifying behaviors or feelings with logical reasoning even if the true motivations are emotional. Those mechanisms do not capture the essence of calmly discussing disturbing events, which is best characterized by intellectualization.