There are different defense mechanisms that respond to different ways of facing life.
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15 defense mechanisms to face life
Defense mechanisms can be more or less functional . They partially depend on the degree of maturity and the person’s ability to solve problems, sometimes being the only way out they have been able to find.
It is necessary to think that a dysfunctional defense mechanism affects in the first instance the person who develops it. Defense mechanisms can be psychological coping strategies that also cause problems for third parties, but people tend to do things the best they can.
pathological
Pathological defense mechanisms are rarely adaptive . Although temporarily they can be functional, in the long run they bring more problems due to the simple fact that the person moves away from reality through thoughts that border on delirium.
1. Denial
In this defense mechanism, the individual denies reality when he has to face unpleasant situations or that he considers unacceptable. It is a psychological strategy with a strong maladaptive component
2. Distortion
Distortion appears when denial is not enough to preserve integrity . The person partially interprets what interests him for this purpose, being able to open the door to fantasy.
3. Projection
In the projection the individual tries to feel alien . The feelings or ideas that cause pain are projected onto other people or things, trying not to relate them to her person. It implies disassimilation, contrary to introjection (a defense mechanism that appears later).
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4. Inferiority complex
This defense mechanism is based on the idea of being inferior to others . It is very maladaptive, because the feeling of being weaker than other people is a feeling that brings a lot of suffering and few solutions.
5. Fantasy
The person who develops this defense mechanism mixes elements . Reality merges with elements of a magical or supernatural nature through symbolic or archetypal worlds.
immature
These defense mechanisms are characterized by facing reality in an immature way . They are ways of facing reality that sometimes respond to impulses generated by primary instincts and that move away from a rational analysis of the situation.
6. aggressiveness
Aggressiveness is a defense mechanism that resorts to violence or the desire to exercise it. It can be expressed unconsciously and is a tendency that is expressed as an attempt to defend oneself in an unfair or hostile situation.
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7. Idealization
In idealization oneself thinks oneself better than one really is . This makes him feel that he has desirable attributes and that he deserves more than he has, being able to start fights without any sense.
8. Displacement
Displacement implies a lack of coping with problems . This defense mechanism can be problematic since a frustration is discharged before a person or situation that is not the one that has generated it.
9. Regression
Regression rewards a “more childlike” mental functioning . Developing behavior with characteristics typical of childhood stages is a way to divert attention from the root of a problem.
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neurotic
These coping strategies have a neurotic psychological component . They are defense mechanisms that can be used to cope with many situations, but taken to the extreme can also lead to serious problems for the mental integrity of the person.
10. Psychosomatization
Psychosomatization uses physical pain as a defense mechanism . Impotence in a situation causes such a psychological alteration that it ends up expressing physical symptoms without an organic basis.
11. Dissociation
In dissociation, painful events or thoughts are forgotten : It is a defense mechanism at the unconscious level that can be adaptive, since conscious thought does not have to face certain unnecessary situations.
12. Repression
Desires, thoughts or impulses are nullified in repression . The individual perceives them as dangerous, remaining out of his consciousness for coming into conflict with his social environment.
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ripe
These defense mechanisms are those that are related to more mature responses . These are psychological coping strategies that have adaptive advantages for the survival of the individual.
13. Anticipation
Anticipation implies adopting solutions to face future problems . It is one of the most mature and adaptive defense mechanisms, and is carried out to deal with situations that cause anguish, stress or discomfort.
14. Altruism
Altruism is considered a defense mechanism by some authors . It can be very adaptive, but it can also be considered that maximizing the interest of others ahead of one’s own ends up limiting the exercise of one’s own life.
15. Rationalization
Rationalization is used to change the perspective of reality . When the real reason for an event is not acceptable to the person, they look for an alternative explanation that they build through reason to convince themselves of something.
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Bibliographic references
- Freud, A. (1980). The Self and defense mechanisms. Barcelona: Editorial Paidós Ibérica .
- Pallares, E. (2008). The defense mechanisms. How we trick ourselves into feeling better. Bilbao: Messenger Editions .
- Staats, A.W. (1996). Behavior and Personality. Psychological Behaviorism. Springer Publishing Company Inc. Nueva York.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.
