Know Your Defence Mechanisms| Are you Practicing #5 Too?
Did you know?
We have an inbuilt system that protects us from feelings of guilt or anxiety. This system works on an unconscious level and is basically there to keep unpleasant feelings at bay and let the good feelings stay longer. This system is known as a defense mechanism. Surprisingly enough we all use it one or the other way. Up to a point, it is indeed useful but if used excessively it might cause trouble. In fact, we tend to use it without even realizing it. But, anymore! Today, we will address these defense mechanisms and find out which one we are using. Also, we will try and keep a self-check from next time.
What are Defense mechanisms?
Defense mechanisms are also known as ego defense mechanisms. This concept was first proposed by Sigmund Freud and was later taken up by her daughter Anna Freud. They are psychological strategies that we used (unconsciously) to protect ourselves from anxiety. It also prevents unwanted thoughts from entering our conscious mind.
Let us understand the 10 common defense mechanisms with examples.
Most Common Defence Mechanisms are:
When an individual refuses to admit reality or fails to recognize something that has occurred, he might be using denial as the defense mechanism. Reason being that it might be too uncomfortable to face or agree with, considering its emotional aspect. It is one of the most commonly used defense mechanisms.
Alcohol consumers that may not agree to the fact that alcohol consumption is injurious to health is a perfect example of this defense mechanism.
In this defense mechanism, an individual blocks difficult thoughts to enter into consciousness or awareness. They totally try to hide them or forget them completely. When these memories are repressed they start showing up in an individual’s behaviors and relationships.
The most common example of repression is a child who has been through abuse, faces difficulty in forming new relationships as they grow.
When you can’t vent out your feelings of anger and frustration on the source of it you end up displacing it to someone who is not threatening. They are not the true source of your strong emotions but they are safer and less problematic options to react to.
A good example of this defense mechanism is when your boss yells at you at work and you can’t shout back at him. So, you go home and take all that frustration out either on your partner or your kids.
We all develop through different stages of life. While we might think that once we pass through a developmental stage we won’t go back to it. But, that’s not true. When we feel threatened we might revert to an earlier stage of development to cope with it.
A child might start bed-wetting on the arrival of a new child, because of a lack of attention from parents. This example of regression tells us how a child shifts back to an earlier stage to cope with divided attention by parents.
In this defense mechanism, an individual will ascribe their unacceptable feelings to others, because accepting them could make them feel uncomfortable. It is not just limited to misattributing your unacceptable feelings to the other person but also the feelings and motives that are uncomfortable to accept. This is often practiced when an individual dislikes the other person.
An example of this defense mechanism will be when you dislike a co-worker or a batch mate you might choose to tell yourself and others that they dislike you.
Sublimation is also referred to as a positive strategy. Herein an individual channelizes his unacceptable motives, urges, and feelings into a productive and acceptable outlet (not onto a person). This way an individual refocuses on his energy on social acceptable behavior to keep anxiety away.
Example of this defense mechanism will be an individual with sexual impulses which he cannot act upon so he might shift his focus on exercising rigorously.
An individual is likely to explain unacceptable behavior or life outcomes in the light of seemingly logical reasons or their own set of facts. This defense mechanism is generally used when things change in the face of reality.
For example if a relationship that an individual might have thought of lasting forever fails he might try to explain it by saying, “I knew this is how it will end, it was never meant to work.”
When an individual makes use of an intellectual component to avoid the stressful and emotional aspect of a situation he is using this defense mechanism. This helps them reduce anxiety related to stressful situations.
The most classic example of this defense mechanism is when a person is diagnosed with a terminal illness he might focus on educating himself about the disease and remain distant from reality.
This defense mechanism is used to avoid cognitive dissonance and the mental discomfort accompanied with it. Herein a person separates their life into independent sectors and behaves as if one has separate sets of values.
A man who is a well-known pharmacy holder may be having a drug business running along with it.
10. Reaction Formation
This defense mechanism is also seen as an extreme point of denial. The individual will not only dismiss the reality but will also behave in an opposite way of what they truly feel. Often they choose to behave in an overly positive or obsessive manner.
An example of this defense mechanism is a person who has hate feelings for her colleague or boss will choose to show excessive love towards them.
Other Defense Mechanism
Other than these 10 common defense mechanisms there are many other defense mechanisms as well. This includes:
- Acting Out: Not acknowledging certain overwhelming feelings rather engage in different activities.
- Avoidance: Refusal to deal with unpleasant situations.
- Fantasy: Not accepting reality by retreating to a safe place within one’s mind.
- Passive-aggression: Expressing aggression indirectly.
- Compensation: Overachieving in one area of life because of failures in another.
You might notice that some of these defense mechanisms are used commonly by us in our day-to-day life. Which is okay! But, remember defense mechanisms are two edged-sword; they can be both good and bad. When used in an optimal amount it works in your favor but if used in excess and appropriately it might hinder your way in perceiving reality.
If you see overusing these defense mechanisms and can identify their negative impact on your life, seeking help from a mental health professional is advised.
More power to you…