This document discusses defense mechanisms, which are unconscious psychological mechanisms that help reduce anxiety arising from unacceptable thoughts or impulses. It defines defense mechanisms and provides examples of common ones such as rationalization, regression, sublimation, withdrawal, displacement, denial, fantasy, compensation, repression, reaction formation, projection, and intellectualization. The document emphasizes that defense mechanisms can be adaptive in moderating anxiety but using them excessively can become maladaptive. It also notes the importance of nurses understanding patients' defense mechanisms and helping discourage maladaptive ones in favor of adaptive coping strategies.

3. DEFENSE MECHANISMS
MR. SATISH N. CHOURE
NURSING TUTOR, VMP CON,
AKLUJ.

4. Introduction :-
The term ‘ Defense Mechanism’ was first
used by sigmund freud in his paper “The
Neuro-Psychoses of defence” (1894).
Anna (1937) developed the ideas given by
Freud and elaborated them, adding 5 other
own .

5. Definition:
“Defense mechanisms
are a tactics developed by
ego to protect against
anxiety”.
- sigmund freud 1894

6. A defence
mechanism is the
act or technique of
coping
mechanisms that
reduce anxiety
generated by
threats from
unacceptable or
negative impulses.
The process is
usually
unconscious .
Meaning :-

7. DEFENSE
MECHANISMS

8. Is the substitution of a safe &
reasonable explanation for the true
cause of behavior.
It occurs when we tell an element of truth
but deny the larger truth of the matter.
Example:- a student who cheats on a test
may say : “I only cheated on a few
question , i know most of
the answers”.
1)Rationalization

10. 2)Regression:-
When someone is
under a lot of
stress, they return
to behavior from
an earlier stage of
development.
Also known as
back journey .

11. Ex:- a lady regressed into adolescent starts to walk
, talk or dress like as her younger self .
When a person is confronted to some loss may be
back journey to a stage which had been more
pleasant & successful in his lifetime .

12. 3)Sublimation :-
Satisfying an impulse ( Ex- aggression)
with a substitute object in a socially
acceptable way .
This is similar to displacement but occurs
when we manage to displace our
emotions into a constructive rather than
destructive manner.

13. Example :-
Sport is an
example of putting
our emotions into
something
constructive .

14. 4)Withdrawal :-
If someone faces
failure or rejection
they try to
withdraw from that
situation .
Ex:- fear of
rejection in
making friends .

15. 5)Displacement :-
To transfer an impulse or idea from a
threatening object to a less threatening
object .

16. Denial involves blocking
external events from
awareness . If some
situation is too much to
handle , the person refuses
to experience it .
Most people use denial in
their everyday lives to avoid
dealing wit painful feelings
or areas of their life they
don’t wish to admit .
6)Simple denial

17. 7)Fantasy :-
Is a sort of
imagination which
can provide an
escape from
frustration by giving
us imaginary
satisfaction .
Fantasy is a
mechanism of wishful
thinking & important
for creative thinking

18. 8.Compensation:-
It is a process of psychologically
counterbalancing perceived weakness by
emphasizing strength in other areas .
It may be positive or negative .
Ex:- A student who fails in his studies
may compensate by becoming the
college champion in athletics.

19. 9) Repression :-
This was the first defence
mechanism that Freud discovered
& the most important one.
Unconsciously and involuntary
forgetting of painful ideas, events
and conflicts.
It can be defined as Motivated
Forgetting.

20. Example:-forgetting
physical/sexual abuse from
childhood due to trauma and
anxiety.
Repression is caused due to
forces active within
ourselves . We try to forget
what makes us feel inferior ,
ashamed , guilty & anxious.

21. 10) Reaction formation :-
Expressing emotions that are the exactly
opposite of what you feel.
Conceal anger/hate with kindness.
Teasing/bothering someone you like.
This is a point where a person goes beyond
denial & behaves in the opposite way to which
he or she thinks or feel .
It is also called Reversal Formation .

22. Example:- a woman , who is very angry with her boss
and want to quit instead may be overly kind and
generous towards her boss .

23. 11) Projection:-
Is the misattribution of a person’s
undesired thoughts, feelings or impulses
onto another person who doesn’t have
feelings or thoughts .
Projection occurs when an individual
threatened by his own angry feelings
accuses another of harbouring hostile
thoughts .
People deal with unacceptable impulses by
acting as if other people have them .

24. Example:- spouse cheats on wife and says that she is
also a cheater .

25. INTELLECTUALIZATION
Separation of the emotions of a
painful event or situation from the
facts involved.
Example- person shows no
emotional expression when
discussing serious car accident.

26. Relevance of defence mechanisms to
nursing practice
The nurse must recognize and understand
maladaptive defense mechanisms that patients
use. The nurse has to carefully point out these
mechanisms and work with patient to
discourage such behaviors and encourage
adaptive ones.

27. Conclusion:-
Defence mechanism helps to reduce the
anxiety & help an individual to adjust
better. But too much of everything is bad .
Same is true with defence mechanism .
Children should be guarded against too
much use of defence mechanism .
Because once they start using them it will
became a habit with them & later on they
will be using it unconsciously .

30. REFERENCES
1. R Sreevani, A Guide to Mental Health and
psychiatric Nursing, Jaypee publications, 3rd edition,
pg.no.-39-40.
2. D Ellakuvana Bhaskararaja,Text Book Of Mental
health Nursing,Emmess medical Publication pg.no. –
115-117.
3. Neeraj Ahuja, text book of mental health Nursing,
jaypee publications, pg.no. – 120.
4. McLeod, S. A. (2009). Defense Mechanisms.
Retrieved from
http://www.simplypsychology.org/defense-
mechanisms.html .
5. Defense mechanism: Encyclopaedia Briticana .

31. Thank you