SARENO, PHOEBE JOY DUMAYAHON BSN3-A

Defense mechanisms
The idea of defense mechanism comes from psychoanalytic theory, a
psychological perspective of personality that sees personality as the interaction
between three components: id, ego and super ego. (www.healthline.com)

Uses of Defense Mechanisms

Defense mechanisms are behaviors people use to separate themselves from
unpleasant events, actions, or thoughts. These psychological strategies may help
people put distance between themselves and threats or unwanted feelings, such
as guilt or shame. (www.healthline.com)

DEFENSE
DEFINITION EXAMPLE
MECHANISM
 It occurs when you refuse to I am not fat!
accept reality or facts that
Denial he/she is experiencing. Blocks
external awareness.
Unsavory thoughts, painful She barely remembers her ex-
memories, or irrational beliefs boyfriend. Although she was with him
Repression can upset you. Suppressing for about a year when she found out
this painful memories and about some third party was involved.
thoughts.
Thoughts or feelings you have She hated someone (ex gf of his bf),
about another person may to either ‘solve’ the problem. Is to
Projection make you uncomfortable. believe that his boyfriend ex hated
her first.
Satisfying an impulse (e.g., Upon walking down, the alley. A man
aggression) with a substitute with his girlfriend arguing became
Displacement object or kind. mad and instantly kicked the lamp
post near him.

When one is faced with stress, Elderly may perceive themselves as

may unconsciously “escape” to strong ‘young’ and independent.
Regression an earlier stage of Where in, they don’t want any form of
development. help.
Justifying behaviors by He broke up with her girlfriend,
substituting acceptable because he wanted to be with his ex-
Rationalization reasons for less-acceptable girlfriend. But when someone asks

1
 SARENO, PHOEBE JOY DUMAYAHON BSN3-A

real reasons.  about it. His reasons for breaking up

was rational because his girlfriend is
not giving him enough time and
attention. And that the girl’s family
hated him.
Redirecting unacceptable Instead of lashing out his anger on
desires through socially his girlfriend. He chooses to channel
Sublimation accepted channels. his anger into gaming sensations and
gym exercises.

Recognize how they feel, but She caught her boyfriend texting his
they choose to behave in the ex (labeled as friends). She felt really
Reaction formation opposite manner of their jealous. But when she approached
instincts. his boyfriend. Neither did she lashed
or got angry. Instead, she smiled and
said cunning words.
Separating your life into At school, she manages to not to
independent sectors may feel involve her personal issues. The fact
Compartmentalizatio like a way to protect many that she has a boyfriend were not told
n elements of it. to just any of her friends and
classmates.
Choose to remove all emotion She was unloved by his fiancé, but
from the responses and thought of other people who really
Intellectualization instead focus on facts.  loves her most especially her
parents.

Coping with stress by engaging She was hurt by his ex, while trying
in actions rather than to express her feelings into someone
Acting out acknowledging and bearing - who ends up being hurt also.
certain feelings
Accepting a modified form of She secretly like her friend’s
their original goal boyfriend. She wanted the best for
Aim inhibition him. She was able to do it by helping
out her friend on their relationship.
Satisfying internal needs She is being kind to the person she
through helping others hates (her boyfriend’s ex). She
Altruism positively talks to her and help her a
lot.

2
 SARENO, PHOEBE JOY DUMAYAHON BSN3-A

Refusing to deal with or After their break up, she instantly

encounter any person, hated the idea of having another man
Avoidance situation or place that might in his life. She rejected all her new
cause unwanted feelings to pursuers thinking same things might
occur. happen twice.
Overachieving in one area to He was left by his ex-girlfriend
compensate for failures in because of he is fat, unattractive and
Compensation another ugly. Now, he became fit and
excelled on his study and honored.
Act of detaching or separating ‘traumatic amnesia’
a strong emotionally charged She was once forced by his ex-
Dissociation conflict from one’s boyfriend to indulge in an activity she
consciousness. didn’t wanted. But found out to have
a new boyfriend.

Avoiding reality by retreating to Daydreaming about how his goal was

a safe place within one's mind achieved in pursuing the person he
Fantasy loves.

Ability to express thoughts She was jealous, and joked with his
and/or feelings in a positive boyfriend about it. That she just loves
Humor light, without anxiety or him that is why she’s jealous.
discomfort
Indirectly expressing anger She and her boyfriend are scheduled
to meet later. But because of the
Passive-aggression argument that happened earlier. She
doesn’t want to meet him now, even
though he is still waiting at the place.

Trying to make up for what one He secretly met his ex-girlfriend

feels are inappropriate behind his girlfriend’s back. Aftermath
Undoing thoughts, feelings, or behaviors he met with his girlfriend and treat
him more and cared for her more.
And given all she asked.