Defense Mechanisms

Differs from coping mechanisms

You don't have to but you can catch up with coping mechanisms here.

Coping mechanisms are deliberate and they typically occur at a conscious level, unlike defense mechanisms.

Defense mechanisms occur more at an unconscious level. Here’s a great example — denial. When you try not to accept the truth because of the emotions that come with it, you’re putting up a defense and you mostly don’t know.

Here’s another one — Projection. When you project your feelings on others as a means to hide yours, you’re in defense. For example, you might be the angry one and insist that the other person is angry.

Somatization is another one. It is transferring a feeling into physical symptoms, so you might feel a running stomach when you’re angry or anxious. You just find a physical way to manifest a feeling.

Here’s one I agree with from Good Therapy. It’s called reaction formation. Acting out the exact opposite of one’s unconscious wishes or thoughts. For example, a man who is a devout Christian who feels sexually attracted to other men might become extremely homophobic because homosexuality is not accepted in his religious culture.

There are healthy defense mechanisms as well, like humor and empathy.

Because defense mechanisms mostly occur at unconscious levels, you are likely not to know when you put up one but if you pay attention and you are able to reflect, you will find them and if they are unhealthy, you have to seek ways to stop them.