Defense mechanism are the brain's ways

of keeping us safe from fully aware

of unpleasant thoughts and feelings.

Sometimes, we can choose to use certain defense mechanisms

like repression, denial and rationalization.

Below is a list of ten of the most common defense mechanisms.

1. Displacement.

The diversion of emotions such as anger,

from the original source to a substitute target.

For example,

Your friend says something hurtful

and instead of confronting your friend,

you later lash out at your sister.

2. Projection.

The projection of one's own feelings,

thoughts or motives onto someone else.

For example,

the person who is cheating

is under the impression that their partner is cheating on them.

3. Rationalization.

Developing false though plausible excuses

to justify irrational and/or unacceptable behaviour.

For example,

Stealing from a corporate chain store

such as Best Buy

and justifying the theft by saying:

"They make millions in profit so it doesn't matter"

4. Reaction Formation.

Behaving in a way opposite to how you feel.

For example,

When a person is romantically attracted to someone,

but adamantly claims that they dislike that someone.

5. Regression.

Reverting to childlike patterns of behavior.

For example,

A student gets a bad grade on their test

and screams and cries at their parents or teacher.

6. Repression/ Denial.

Pushing or burying thoughts and feelings

that are distressing into the subconcious.

For example,

An addict will deny they have an addiction

because they can function fine at work and at home.

An example of repression would be a person

who witnessed a crime being unable to remember the event.

7. Sublimation.

The refocusing of unacceptable impulses, thoughts and raw emotions

into more acceptable ones.

For example,

A person who is experiencing aggressive impulses

instead challenges that energy into rigorous exercise.

8. Dissociation.

The detachment from the reality and from oneself

and the finding of another representation of self

to cope up with extreme stress or conflict.

A person uses dissociation as a defense mechanism

disconnects from the reality and lives in their own world,

in which they do not experience

unbearable thoughts, feelings or memories for a period of time.

9. Intellectualization.

Overthinking and misdirection of focus

when confronted with unacceptable situations, behaviors or impulses.

For example,

A person who has been told the close family member has died,

begins to focus on and overthinks the details

of planning a funeral, etc, instead of expressing their grief.

10. Compensation.

The counterbalancing of perceived flaws or weaknesses

by instead emphasizing strengths.

For example,

A person says they can't draw

but they're really good at dancing.

What defense mechanism do you use?

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