Are Psychological theories examples of "Intellectualization" - defence mechanism?

You might be off track there because: One should never generalize.

Bascially you are asking 2 questions:

1) If live is being considered a threat, might psychology be used to make it easier... Answer YES

2) Are ALL psychological theories for defence... Answer NO

Ummmm, no.

The whole point of a psychological defense is to avoid having to make a change or accept responsibility for one's actions.

OTOH, the purpose of scientific research in psychology is to understand and predict behavior. Defence mechanisms tend to put blinders on, and blinders make it hard to do effective research. Just look at intelligent design.

There are a lot of pop "psychology" self-help books out there. And those often are more defense mechanism guides than good science. But good science doesn't shy away from thing that make us uncomfortable.

There are poeple who use theoretical anything as a means of rationalization or intellectualization. Do you suppose you though this because psychology is strictly in the mind and behavior? For instance, you didnt ask is attempting to understand biology a way to feel safer in the environment.

There is also an interesting query here, many people who feel misunderstood or maligned may go into psychology to help others feel less misunderstood or maligned. Kind of like when someone says 'i would like to work with those who have been abused' you should ask that person 'how have you been abused, do you think it affects your decision to work with these poeple?'