Glossary / Lexicon

Ego defense mechanisms refer to the strategies available to the ego for distorting the anxiety-provoking aspects of reality, thus making them more tolerable.

Ego defense mechanisms are psychological strategies that individuals use to manage, cope with, or reduce anxiety or other uncomfortable emotions. They are unconscious psychological processes that help people protect their self-esteem, maintain their sense of well-being, and defend themselves against threatening or unacceptable thoughts, feelings, or impulses.

There are several different types of ego defense mechanisms, including:

1. Repression: This is the most basic defense mechanism, where an individual unconsciously pushes away or represses threatening or unpleasant thoughts or feelings.

2. Denial: This is a defense mechanism in which an individual refuses to acknowledge or accept the reality of a situation or event.

3. Projection: This is a defense mechanism where an individual attributes their own unacceptable thoughts, feelings, or behaviors to someone else.

4. Rationalization: This is a defense mechanism where an individual justifies their own unacceptable behavior or feelings by coming up with a seemingly logical explanation or reason for them.

5. Regression: This is a defense mechanism where an individual retreats to an earlier, more childlike way of coping with stress or anxiety.

6. Displacement: This is a defense mechanism where an individual redirects their feelings or impulses toward a safer, less threatening object or person.

7. Sublimation: This is a defense mechanism where an individual channels their unacceptable impulses into socially acceptable or even productive behaviors.

Examples of ego defense mechanisms in action could include:

• A person who compulsively cleans their house may be using sublimation as a way to channel their anxiety into a productive activity.
• Someone who constantly blames others for their own problems may be using projection as a way to avoid taking responsibility for their actions.
• A person who refuses to acknowledge the reality of a serious medical diagnosis may be using denial as a defense mechanism to avoid the anxiety and fear that comes with facing the truth.
• Someone who makes excuses for their own bad behavior may be using rationalization to justify their actions to themselves and others.
• A person who throws a tantrum when they don't get their way may be using regression as a way to cope with their feelings of disappointment or frustration.