Defence mechanisms are techniques used to remain psychologically stable or in balance. We use defence mechanisms to reduce threat to ourselves and to feel like a decent person. Usually, defence mechanisms are not fully conscious because when we are threatened, it makes us anxious. Anxiety brings desire to get back to balance. Thus we use defence mechanisms to establish and once in balance the problem seems to be “one”. This is often the illusion. But the real world is still there, and eventually we must cope with our problems. The more we use; we are losing control of the situation. Use them to protect ourselves.

Repression

Repression is the process of pushing a painful event or though out of the consciousness. E.g. if we hate a relative and do not want to think about him or her, we force these feeling and impulses to remain out of consciousness (repress them) OR if someone cheated you and there is nothing that can be don about it, you repress the feelings and instead you focus something else and repress the incident as if it did not happen.

“I hate my aunt”

“What was I thinking about?”

Projection; (to point figures)

Projection is the process of attributing our thoughts to some one else. A person’s real feelings are thrown at another person. It is the process of mentally giving to someone else our thoughts or feelings e.g. if a person is fired from a job for poor performance, he might claim that it is the supervisor who is incompetent. In this way, the responsibility is shifted to someone else.

“What do you mean, I am upset”

I am not upset, you are upset.

Rationalization

Rationalization refers to the process of explaining a way problem, that we do not have accept the blame. Rationalization can be used to our benefit to get id of something we can’t do anything about any way e.g. if someone you loved very much chucks you, you could rationalize by thinking of a defect that he/she has. You tick yourself into believing that you did not want the other person any way.

“I did not a promotion”

“Well, I didn’t the job any way”.

Regression (to go backwards)

Regression is the process of going backward in behavior and thought to a period when were taken care of as a child (childish behavior). With regression, we defend ourselves by moving backward and behaving like children. This defense is a reaction to the extreme frustration of having been an adult and take responsibility. Regression is sometimes seen in sports events when the player lies down on the ground and a temper tantrum, just as a child would … is expressed in a childish way (Crying) I should have gotten a promotion.

Denial (to not a admit)

Denial is a process of refusing to admit that there is a problem. The real problem becomes cancelled. Faced with a major decision, we simply deny that the problem exists. With denial, we do not let the problem come into consciousness anytime. NB: With repression, we are at least partly aware of the problem and then push it out of the consciousness to the unconsciousness.

See more in the blue book pamphlet

1. Displacement

2. Sublimation

3. Reaction formation

4. Projection

5. Withdraw

It involves removing oneself from events, stimuli, interactions under the fear of being reminded of painful thoughts and feelings

1. Identification

2. Introjections

Withdraw is a more severe form of defence

NB: Sigmund Freud’s emphasis on unconscious motivations and ego defence mechanisms has been particularly valuable for psychotherapists in gaining insight into the mental health or illnesses of their clients.