Defence mechanisms

These are the techniques used by the psyche to protect itself from overwhelming anxiety or stress. These are not entities in themselves, but explanations derived originally from psychoanalysis to explain symptoms and behaviour. The list below is not exhaustive but describes those most commonly seen in practice.

Altruism Describes the mechanism of satisfying one's own needs through the lives of others. For example, the man who wished he had become a doctor may ‘push’ his family into this career and blame himself if they do not fulfil his expectations.

Denial Defined as the expressed refusal to acknowledge a threatening reality (for example, ‘it can't happen here’). It is of relevance especially to those with serious physical illnesses, where the patient denies being told of the presence of any illness in themselves or their loved ones. It may persist despite constant reiteration of the facts. The term denial is often used, inappropriately, for the knowing or conscious avoidance of painful topics or thoughts.

Displacement The process by which interest and/or emotion is shifted from one object onto another less-threatening one, so that the latter replaces the former. Thus the person who loses a child in a road accident and thereafter devotes themselves tirelessly to campaigning against dangerous driving is exhibiting this defence. From a psychological perspective, the affect that attached to the child is replaced by the affect attached to the ideals of the campaign. More prosaically, the person who is having problems at work may displace the anger felt for their boss onto their family by displaying irritability and moodiness at home, or a spinster may accumulate numerous cats rather than children.

Idealisation The ascribing of omnipotence to another person or organisation (for example, ‘you will save me’).

Identification with the aggressor Observed where the victim begins to assume the qualities or faults of the opponent. This may show itself as the battered wife believing she deserves to be beaten and justifying her husband's aggression to her. The ‘Stockholm syndrome’ is another example (Favaro et al, 2000).

Projection The defence against unpalatable anxieties, impulses or attributes in one's own psyche, which are attributed to an external origin. For example, the person who attributes indecision to others may be unconsciously projecting their own indecisiveness. Thus internal threats become externalised and then are easier to handle.