People handle difficult situations in many different ways. Have you had news that upset you, but instead you carried on with your day as if it didn’t happen? Or perhaps you have heard stories of people who went through traumatic episodes yet have no memory of them?
Defense mechanisms are the different ways that people deal with challenging experiences.
It is important to pay close attention to them and understand how they can be better controlled. If they go unnoticed, these reactions could end up causing more harm in the long term. Not addressing your emotions in a healthy way could lead to issues such as anxiety, stress or depression. It could also have an adverse effect on your relationships with those around you, especially if you react in a way that may end up being hurtful to the other person.
1. Repression
Your mind purposely buries a painful memory in your subconscious that prevents you from being fully aware. It blocks out specific emotions or memories as a way to protect you.
An example of this could be not remembering a particularly difficult childhood occurrence.
2. Denial
This is the inability to address something that is difficult. It is regarded as one of the most primitive defence mechanisms and it is a common coping strategy for many people.
An example of this could be not believing that you have a substance abuse problem, despite getting into debt to fund the habit.
3. Regression
You revert to an almost childish way of dealing with problems. The reaction is stemmed in a seemingly immature behaviour since you feel unable to deal with it rationally.
An example of this could be sulking or having a tantrum when you get into an argument.
4. Projection
You attribute your own insecurities or thoughts on someone else. Generally it is adopted when certain actions or thoughts are unacceptable and despite potentially knowing this, you are not able to express it as such.
An example of this could be accusing your partner of flirting when you are having an affair.
5. Displacement
This is where you channel your emotions onto something or someone else. You may be in a situation where you are unable to express it directly, such…
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