Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsMain Defense MechanismsOther Defense MechanismsHow They WorkCoping Tips
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Main Defense Mechanisms
Other Defense Mechanisms
How They Work
Coping Tips
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Some of the best-known defense mechanisms have become a common part of everyday language. For example, you might describe someone as being “in denial” of a problem they face. When someone falls back into old ways of doing things, you might term them as “regressing” into an earlier point of development.Defense mechanismsare unconscious psychological responses that protect people from feelings of anxiety, threats toself-esteem, and things that they don’t want to think about or deal with.
Defense Mechanisms vs. Defence MechanismsIn the U.S., the term “defense mechanisms” is spelled with an ’s' in defense. However, in other areas of the world, it is spelled with a ‘c.’ If you live in the U.K., for instance, the spelling is “defence mechansms.” So, you may see it spelled either way.
Defense Mechanisms vs. Defence Mechanisms
In the U.S., the term “defense mechanisms” is spelled with an ’s' in defense. However, in other areas of the world, it is spelled with a ‘c.’ If you live in the U.K., for instance, the spelling is “defence mechansms.” So, you may see it spelled either way.
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Deflection as a Defense Mechanism
10 Key Defense Mechanisms
Displacement
Have you ever had a really bad day at work, then went home and took out your frustration on family and friends? If you answered yes, you have experienced the ego defense mechanism ofdisplacement.
Displacement involves taking out our frustrations, feelings, and impulses on people or objects that are less threatening.
Displacedaggressionis a common example of this defense mechanism. Rather than express your anger in ways that could lead to negative consequences (like arguing with your boss), you instead express your anger toward a person or object that poses no threat (such as your spouse, children, or pets).
Denial
Denial, probably one of the best-known defense mechanisms, is an outright refusal to admit or recognize that something has occurred or is currently occurring. It functions to protect the ego from things with which the person cannot cope and is used often to describe situations in which people seem unable to face reality or admit an obvious truth (e.g., “They’re in denial”).
For example, people living with drug or alcohol addiction often deny that they have a problem, while victims of traumatic events may deny that the event ever occurred.
While it may temporarily shield you from anxiety or pain, denial also requires a substantial investment of energy. Because of this, other defenses are used to help keep these unacceptable feelings fromconsciousawareness.
In many cases, there might be overwhelming evidence that something is true, yet the person will continue to deny its existence or truth because it is too uncomfortable to face.
RecapDenial can involve a flat-out rejection of the existence of a fact or reality. In other cases, it might involve admitting that something is true, but minimizing its importance. Sometimes people will accept reality and the seriousness of the fact, but they will deny their own responsibility and instead blame other people or other outside forces.
Recap
Denial can involve a flat-out rejection of the existence of a fact or reality. In other cases, it might involve admitting that something is true, but minimizing its importance. Sometimes people will accept reality and the seriousness of the fact, but they will deny their own responsibility and instead blame other people or other outside forces.
Repression
Repressionacts to keep information out of conscious awareness. However, thesememoriesdon’t just disappear; they continue to influence our behavior.For example, a person who has repressed memories of abuse suffered as a child may later have difficulty forming relationships.
Suppression
Sublimation
Freud believed that sublimation was a sign of maturity and allows people to function normally in socially acceptable ways.
Projection
Projectionis a defense mechanism that involves taking your own unacceptable qualities or feelings and ascribing them to other people.For example, if you have a strong dislike for someone, you might instead believe that they do not like you.
Intellectualization
For example, a person who has just been diagnosed with a terminal illness might focus on learning everything about the disease in order to avoid distress and remain distant from the reality of the situation and their feelings about it.
Rationalization
Rationalization is a defense mechanism that involves explaining an unacceptable behavior or feeling in a rational or logical manner, avoiding the true reasons for the behavior.
Rationalization not only prevents anxiety, but it may also protect self-esteem andself-concept.
When trying to explain success or failure, people using this defense mechanism tend to attribute achievement to their own qualities and skills while failures are blamed on other people or outside forces.
Regression
For example, an individual fixated at an earlier developmental stage might cry or sulk upon hearing unpleasant news.
According to Freud, behaviors associated with regression can vary greatly depending on the stage at which a person is fixated. For example, an individual fixated at the oral stage might begin eating or smoking excessively, or might become verbally aggressive. A fixation at the anal stage might result in excessive tidiness or messiness.
Reaction Formation
7 Main Defense MechanismsThis list is sometimes shortened to provide only seven main defense mechanisms, which are denial, displacement, projection, rationalization, reaction formation, repression, and sublimation.
7 Main Defense Mechanisms
This list is sometimes shortened to provide only seven main defense mechanisms, which are denial, displacement, projection, rationalization, reaction formation, repression, and sublimation.
10 Other Common Defense Mechanisms
Since Freud first described the original defense mechanisms, other researchers have continued to describe other methods of reducing anxiety. Some of these defense mechanisms include:
While defense mechanisms are often thought of as negative reactions, we all need them to temporarily ease stress and protect self-esteem during critical times, allowing us to focus on what is necessary at the moment.
Some of these defenses can be more helpful than others. For example, utilizing humor to overcome a stressful, anxiety-provoking situation can actually be an adaptive defense mechanism.
RecapThere are many different types of defense mechanisms that can be used to protect the ego from anxiety. Some of these can be healthier and more helpful than others.
There are many different types of defense mechanisms that can be used to protect the ego from anxiety. Some of these can be healthier and more helpful than others.
How Do Defense Mechanisms Work?
In Sigmund Freud’s model of personality, theegois the aspect of personality that deals with reality. While doing this, the ego also has to cope with the conflicting demands of the id and the superego.
According to Freud, anxiety is an unpleasant inner state that people seek to avoid. Anxiety acts as a signal to the ego that things are not going the way they should. As a result, the ego employs some sort of defense mechanism to help reduce thesefeelings of anxiety.
Types of Anxiety
Not all types of anxiety are created equal. Nor do these anxieties stem from the same sources. Freud identified threetypes of anxiety:
Although we may knowingly use coping mechanisms to manage anxiety, in many cases, these defenses workunconsciouslyto distort reality.
Coping With Unhealthy Defense Mechanisms
While all defense mechanisms can be unhealthy, they can also be adaptive and allow us to function normally. For example, altruism, humor, sublimation, and suppression are four mature defense mechanisms that signal higher adaptiveness.
At the same time, problems can arise when defense mechanisms are overused in an attempt to avoid dealing with problems. To keep this from happening to you, here are a few ways to cope with unhealthy defenses.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy could also be helpful in addressing maladaptive use of defense mechanisms, since defense mechanisms can often contribute to irrational thoughts and beliefs as well as problematic or impulsive behaviors.—DAVID SUSMAN, PHD
Cognitive-behavioral therapy could also be helpful in addressing maladaptive use of defense mechanisms, since defense mechanisms can often contribute to irrational thoughts and beliefs as well as problematic or impulsive behaviors.
—DAVID SUSMAN, PHD
How to Stop Being Defensive
Keep in Mind
If you notice that the overuse of certain defense mechanisms is having a negative impact on your life, consider consulting with a mental health professional. Psychotherapy may help whether you pursue a traditional face-to-face treatment or an online therapy option.
Get Help NowWe’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, Betterhelp, and Regain. Find out which option is the best for you.
Get Help Now
We’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, Betterhelp, and Regain. Find out which option is the best for you.
The Best Online Support Groups to Help With Anxiety
9 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cramer P.Understanding defense mechanisms.Psychodyn Psychiatry. 2015;43(4):523-52. doi:10.1521/pdps.2015.43.4.523Waqas A, Rehman A, Malik A, Muhammad U, Khan S, Mahmood N.Association of ego defense mechanisms with academic performance, anxiety and depression in medical students: A mixed methods study.Cureus. 2015;7(9):e337. doi:10.7759/cureus.337Corey, G.Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (8th ed.).Macdonald K, Thomas ML, Sciolla AF, et al.Minimization of childhood maltreatment is common and consequential: Results from a large, multinational sample using the childhood trauma questionnaire.PLoS ONE. 2016;11(1):e0146058. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0146058Malle BF, Guglielmo S, Monroe AE.A theory of blame.Psychological Inquiry. 2014;25(2):147-186. doi:10.1080/1047840X.2014.877340Anderson MC, Huddleston E.Towards a cognitive and neurobiological model of motivated forgetting.True and False Recovered Memories.2011:53-120. doi:10.1007/978-1-4614-1195-6_3Kim E, Zeppenfeld V, Cohen D.Sublimation, culture, and creativity.J Pers Soc Psychol. 2013;105(4):639-66. doi:10.1037/a0033487Vaillant GE.Ego Mechanisms of Defense, A Guide for Clinicans and Researchers. American Psychiatric Pub; 1992.Di Giuseppe M, Perry JC.The hierarchy of defense mechanisms: Assessing defensive functioning with the defense mechanisms rating scales Q-sort.Front Psychol. 2021;12:718440. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.718440Additional ReadingBurgo, J.Why Do I Do That? Psychological Defense Mechanisms and the Hidden Ways They Shape Our Lives.
9 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cramer P.Understanding defense mechanisms.Psychodyn Psychiatry. 2015;43(4):523-52. doi:10.1521/pdps.2015.43.4.523Waqas A, Rehman A, Malik A, Muhammad U, Khan S, Mahmood N.Association of ego defense mechanisms with academic performance, anxiety and depression in medical students: A mixed methods study.Cureus. 2015;7(9):e337. doi:10.7759/cureus.337Corey, G.Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (8th ed.).Macdonald K, Thomas ML, Sciolla AF, et al.Minimization of childhood maltreatment is common and consequential: Results from a large, multinational sample using the childhood trauma questionnaire.PLoS ONE. 2016;11(1):e0146058. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0146058Malle BF, Guglielmo S, Monroe AE.A theory of blame.Psychological Inquiry. 2014;25(2):147-186. doi:10.1080/1047840X.2014.877340Anderson MC, Huddleston E.Towards a cognitive and neurobiological model of motivated forgetting.True and False Recovered Memories.2011:53-120. doi:10.1007/978-1-4614-1195-6_3Kim E, Zeppenfeld V, Cohen D.Sublimation, culture, and creativity.J Pers Soc Psychol. 2013;105(4):639-66. doi:10.1037/a0033487Vaillant GE.Ego Mechanisms of Defense, A Guide for Clinicans and Researchers. American Psychiatric Pub; 1992.Di Giuseppe M, Perry JC.The hierarchy of defense mechanisms: Assessing defensive functioning with the defense mechanisms rating scales Q-sort.Front Psychol. 2021;12:718440. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.718440Additional ReadingBurgo, J.Why Do I Do That? Psychological Defense Mechanisms and the Hidden Ways They Shape Our Lives.
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Cramer P.Understanding defense mechanisms.Psychodyn Psychiatry. 2015;43(4):523-52. doi:10.1521/pdps.2015.43.4.523Waqas A, Rehman A, Malik A, Muhammad U, Khan S, Mahmood N.Association of ego defense mechanisms with academic performance, anxiety and depression in medical students: A mixed methods study.Cureus. 2015;7(9):e337. doi:10.7759/cureus.337Corey, G.Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (8th ed.).Macdonald K, Thomas ML, Sciolla AF, et al.Minimization of childhood maltreatment is common and consequential: Results from a large, multinational sample using the childhood trauma questionnaire.PLoS ONE. 2016;11(1):e0146058. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0146058Malle BF, Guglielmo S, Monroe AE.A theory of blame.Psychological Inquiry. 2014;25(2):147-186. doi:10.1080/1047840X.2014.877340Anderson MC, Huddleston E.Towards a cognitive and neurobiological model of motivated forgetting.True and False Recovered Memories.2011:53-120. doi:10.1007/978-1-4614-1195-6_3Kim E, Zeppenfeld V, Cohen D.Sublimation, culture, and creativity.J Pers Soc Psychol. 2013;105(4):639-66. doi:10.1037/a0033487Vaillant GE.Ego Mechanisms of Defense, A Guide for Clinicans and Researchers. American Psychiatric Pub; 1992.Di Giuseppe M, Perry JC.The hierarchy of defense mechanisms: Assessing defensive functioning with the defense mechanisms rating scales Q-sort.Front Psychol. 2021;12:718440. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.718440
Cramer P.Understanding defense mechanisms.Psychodyn Psychiatry. 2015;43(4):523-52. doi:10.1521/pdps.2015.43.4.523
Waqas A, Rehman A, Malik A, Muhammad U, Khan S, Mahmood N.Association of ego defense mechanisms with academic performance, anxiety and depression in medical students: A mixed methods study.Cureus. 2015;7(9):e337. doi:10.7759/cureus.337
Corey, G.Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (8th ed.).
Macdonald K, Thomas ML, Sciolla AF, et al.Minimization of childhood maltreatment is common and consequential: Results from a large, multinational sample using the childhood trauma questionnaire.PLoS ONE. 2016;11(1):e0146058. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0146058
Malle BF, Guglielmo S, Monroe AE.A theory of blame.Psychological Inquiry. 2014;25(2):147-186. doi:10.1080/1047840X.2014.877340
Anderson MC, Huddleston E.Towards a cognitive and neurobiological model of motivated forgetting.True and False Recovered Memories.2011:53-120. doi:10.1007/978-1-4614-1195-6_3
Kim E, Zeppenfeld V, Cohen D.Sublimation, culture, and creativity.J Pers Soc Psychol. 2013;105(4):639-66. doi:10.1037/a0033487
Vaillant GE.Ego Mechanisms of Defense, A Guide for Clinicans and Researchers. American Psychiatric Pub; 1992.
Di Giuseppe M, Perry JC.The hierarchy of defense mechanisms: Assessing defensive functioning with the defense mechanisms rating scales Q-sort.Front Psychol. 2021;12:718440. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.718440
Burgo, J.Why Do I Do That? Psychological Defense Mechanisms and the Hidden Ways They Shape Our Lives.
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