Who ever said, “No! It wasn’t me!,” when you made a mistake but didn’t want to admit it? Or have you ever been really angry with someone but didn’t dare to say it and ended up taking it out on someone else? These are just two of the many examples of defense mechanism behavior, KALMers.

Defense mechanism is one of the most widely known psychological theories. You may have often heard about this theory. From denial behavior to dissociation. In this article, you will read a more complete explanation, keep on reading!

Defense Mechanism

Defense Mechanisms or self-defense mechanisms are behaviors that people use to avoid unpleasant events, actions, or thoughts. This psychological strategy helps a person to distance themselves from threats or unwanted feelings such as guilt, anxiety, or shame. 

Self-defense mechanisms are derived from the psychodynamic theory developed by Sigmund Freud. In this theory, it is explained that the self-defense mechanism is carried out by a person unconsciously, which means the mechanism is a kind of natural human instinct when in a dangerous situation. This is very normal and can be experienced by all humans. Identifying the types of defense mechanisms that you or those closest to you often use can help you understand yourself and others more easily.

5 Most Common Types of Defense Mechanism 

Here are some of the most common types of defense mechanisms:

1. Denial 

Denial is one of the most common self-defense mechanisms. This mechanism is used to deny reality or facts. You purposely block the events that have happened from your mind so you don’t have to deal with uncomfortable emotional repercussions. For example, when you don’t want to accept the mistakes you’ve made out of shame you might deny it ever happened in the first place.

2. Displacement

Have you ever had a bad day because your boss was mad at you? When that happens you can’t fight back, but once you get home you take your anger out on your partner. Well, this behavior is also a form of a defense mechanism. 

Displacement is a behavior to relieve frustration by taking it out on people or objects that are not threatening. Instead of expressing your anger to the object that may cause negative consequences to you (such as arguing with your boss), you choose to express anger at someone who does not pose a threat, such as your partner.

3. Repression

Repression means suppressing uncomfortable thoughts or feelings. This is common among children who are victims of violence. They deliberately suppress unpleasant feelings about the violence they experienced and pretend it never happened. Unfortunately, by suppressing negative feelings and thoughts, it doesn’t mean it will necessarily disappear. Repressed feelings will simply remain buried inside and cause trauma if not properly processed. That is why children with abusive experiences tend to find it difficult to build relationships when they grow as adults later on.   They still have that trauma inside of them.

4. Regression

This self-defense mechanism explains why sometimes when faced with a stressful event, people choose to revert to the behavioral patterns they used to have in their earlier stages of development (childhood). For example, some adults sulk when they are left by their romantic partner, or someone who prefers to sleep with their favorite stuffed animal during the day to avoid stressful daily activities.

5. Projection

Have you ever liked someone but were too shy to admit it? Instead of acknowledging these feelings, you reverse the fact by saying that’s the person who likes you? This is one example of projection behavior, KALMers. Projection is a self-defense mechanism by diverting one’s own feelings that are considered uncomfortable and perceive them as other people’s feelings.

What do you think, KALMers? Which one do you do the most?

As stated at the beginning of the article, defense mechanism is a natural and common reaction to have when someone feels they are in danger. However, it is not good to be too dependent on our defense mechanism. To always deny, repress, or to do any other form of defense mechanism will make it difficult for you to accept the feelings and events of your life that you might lose touch with reality. It can even lead to more serious psychological disorders.

Read more: Sleep Anxiety and 5 Tips For Better Sleep at Night and Misunderstanding About Toxic Positivity: Are Your Positivity Toxic or Not?

It is important for you to learn and develop more adaptive coping skills when dealing with problems. Kalmselor in KALM App can guide you to learn coping skills to deal with problems so that you can minimize the defense mechanism in yourself.

Don’t hesitate to consult with Kalmselor either through Chat Counseling on the KALM Application or Video Counseling. Download the KALM app now (here) and find lots of counseling promotions!

Written by: Rachma Fitria

Translated by: Dzulfani S Nisa

Edited by: Lukas Limanjaya

Sources: 

Cherry, K. (2021, November 29). 20 common defense mechanisms used for anxiety. Verywell Mind: https://www.verywellmind.com/defense-mechanisms-2795960

Holland, K. (2019, February 11). 10 defense mechanisms: what are they and how they help us cope. Healthline: https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/defense-mechanisms