Defense Mechanisms

In defense mechanisms, also called escape mechanisms, a significant part in Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic theory of 1894, the ego unconsciously protects itself from anxiety arising from psychic conflict. In more recent theory, defense mechanisms can be a positive way of coping with everyday problems and external threats. But excessive or repeated use of  immature defenses can be considered pathological. (Freud also discovered avoidance, projection, rationalization, regression, and substitution.) Also see Approach and Avoidance Strategies, Avoidance Behavior, and Suppression. Mechanisms range from mature to immature, depending on how much they distort reality:

• Denial doesn’t acknowledge reality or the consequences of that reality. Denial is an immature line of defense because it negates reality.
• Displacement is transferring an emotional reaction from one entity to another (a stressful day at work and lashing out at family at home). Also, an immature mechanism.
• Repression is subconsciously blocking undesirable ideas/impulses, with no recollection of a traumatic event—even though conscious/aware during the event. Immature mechanism.
• Sublimation involves redirecting unacceptable emotions/impulses into socially acceptable, even creative activities—after a breakup, channeling emotions into a home improvement project. A mature mechanism because it allows indirect satisfaction of an actual desire.