You are currently viewing Common Defense Mechanisms

Common Defense Mechanisms

Understanding Common Defense Mechanisms

Did you know that the majority of people use defense mechanisms? A defense mechanism is simply something that people do to distance themselves from others or a certain feeling, thought, or variable. People use defense mechanisms to protect or defend themselves. The issue is that they can be limiting to your growth and negatively impact your life and your mental health.

Consider the defense mechanism, denial.

The root of denial is the refusal to accept the reality. It can show up in different ways for people. Such as not accepting a diagnosis, that a relationship has reached its end, or that one needs help with substance use.

Let’s use an example for clarity so that you can see how the defense mechanism can be limiting. If a person struggles with substance use. Such as drinking or using cocaine. They may have friends around them that tell them to stop. The friends and family share that they are in pain, relationships are going downhill, etc. The person instead says that they are fine because they can hold down a job. They use denial to avoid the painful feeling that their use of drugs is hurting their life and those around them. They attach to their job by saying that they are stable there as a way to deny that they have a substance problem.

Interested In Counseling?
If you are not certain, please list what you feel would be the most important primary service to start with. The intake coordinator will support you during the scheduling process.
Please check multiple age boxes if needed. Please only add information you are comfortable sharing. This is not a HIPAA compliant form. The completion of the form does not establish a counselor and client relationship. ​If you're experiencing a crisis that can't wait, please first contact 911 or go directly to your nearest emergency department.

Why Do People Use Defense Mechanisms 

Defense mechanisms take place in the manner of being a way that we protect and defend ourselves. What is happening is that the defense mechanism acts to create distance between two items. Such as creating distance between two people. Or the distance between the reality of what is happening and themselves.

For instance, A person may dissociate due to experiencing a trauma. Such as a child growing up in a house where domestic violence took place. The child may disconnect from themselves and the world in front of them. For them, this may have kept them safe. 

Can Defense Mechanisms Be Limiting?

The issue with this is that it is also limiting as the person moves forward in life. The same child grows up to be an adult. In adulthood, they find that there are situations where they disconnect (dissociate).  This leads to problems in marriage or other relationships. 

The defense mechanism of dissociation limits their ability to be vulnerable and stay present in the conversation with their peers.

Working with a counselor can provide you with support to understand the different defense mechanisms and gain clinically effective support to heal and move forward in life. Contact our counseling practice to get started.

For an additional article on defense mechanisms click here. It goes over the other common defense mechanisms below:

  • Denial
  • Regression
  • Acting Out
  • Dissociation
  • Compartmentalization
  • Projection
  • Reaction Formation
  • Repression
  • Displacement
  • Intellectualization
  • Rationalization
  • Undoing
  • Sublimation
  • Compensation
  • Assertiveness