defence mechanism
Unconscious protective response
Defence mechanism is a psychological term for unconscious mental processes that protect against anxiety, guilt, or unacceptable impulses.
Denial, repression, and projection are classic examples.
In everyday speech, the term loosens to mean any habitual self-protective response: Humour is his defence mechanism when things get uncomfortable.
Also spelled defense mechanism.
Unconscious blocking of thoughts
- denialRefusal to accept reality
- projectionSomething that extends outward
- sublimationSolid to gas directly
- displacementRemoval from usual location
rationalization · regression · reaction formation · dissociation · splitting · intellectualization · compensation · introjection
Handheld defensive armor
- armorProtective combat covering
- fortificationStrengthening defenses or nutrients
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
- wallVertical enclosing structure
bunker · fortress · moat · rampart · barricade · camouflage · shelter · stronghold
Handling psychological tension
- self-careMaintaining personal wellbeing
- mindfulnessAwareness of the present
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
- support systemNetwork providing assistance
therapy · emotional regulation · boundaries · journaling · meditation · grounding · distraction · venting
Body fighting foreign threats
- antibodiesProteins targeting pathogens
- inflammationProtective tissue response
- white blood cellsPathogen-fighting components of plasma
- phagocytosisCellular ingestion of particles
fever · mucus · skin barrier · lymphocytes · antigens · histamine · cytokines · T-cells
Ability to adapt easily
- resourcefulnessAbility to solve problems creatively
- problem-solvingAddressing challenges methodically
- learningGaining knowledge gradually
- adjustmentAlteration to improve fit
growth · evolution · preparation · diversification · innovation · strategy · recovery · transformation
repression
Unconscious blocking of thoughts
- denialRefusal to accept reality
- projectionSomething that extends outward
- sublimationSolid to gas directly
displacement · rationalization · regression · reaction formation · dissociation · splitting · intellectualization · compensation · introjection · identification
shield
Handheld defensive armor
- armorProtective combat covering
- fortificationStrengthening defenses or nutrients
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
wall · bunker · fortress · moat · rampart · barricade · camouflage · shelter · stronghold · citadel
stress management
Handling psychological tension
- self-careMaintaining personal wellbeing
- mindfulnessAwareness of the present
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
support system · therapy · emotional regulation · boundaries · journaling · meditation · grounding · distraction · venting · exercise
immune response
Body fighting foreign threats
- antibodiesProteins targeting pathogens
- inflammationProtective tissue response
- white blood cellsPathogen-fighting components of plasma
phagocytosis · fever · mucus · skin barrier · lymphocytes · antigens · histamine · cytokines · T-cells · B-cells
flexibility
Ability to adapt easily
- resourcefulnessAbility to solve problems creatively
- problem-solvingAddressing challenges methodically
- learningGaining knowledge gradually
adjustment · growth · evolution · preparation · diversification · innovation · strategy · recovery · transformation · readiness
defence mechanismself-awareness
Insight into one's psyche
insight · mindfulness · metacognition · problem-solving · emotional intelligence
defence mechanismvulnerability
Openness to harm
radical acceptance · emotional processing · confrontation · acknowledgment · emotional honesty
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