The document discusses defense mechanisms, which are unconscious mental processes that help reduce anxiety and internal conflict. Defense mechanisms were first studied comprehensively by Anna Freud in her work expanding on her father Sigmund Freud's research. The document defines defense mechanisms as unconscious coping strategies used by the ego to reduce internal stress arising from conflicts between the id, ego, and superego. Various common defense mechanisms are described, including denial, projection, distortion, splitting, displacement, reaction formation, dissociation, somatization, introjection, hypochondriasis, blocking, compensation, sublimation, rationalization, repression, undoing, identification, and transference. While defense mechanisms can help with adjustment, overreliance on them is

1. R. RUPPA MERCY
M.Sc. NURSING II YEAR,
CLASSROOM TEACHING

2. DEFENSE MECHANISM

3. INTRODUCTION
Defense mechanism is an automatic reaction of the body and mental
process initiated unconsciously to avoid experiencing conflict or
anxiety. The first comprehensive study of defense mechanisms was
reported by Freud’s daughter Anna Freud in his landmark work,
THE EGO AND THE MECHANISMS OF DEFENSE(1937)
Anna Freud expanded her father’s work by providing detailed
descriptions of a number of individual defense mechanisms.

4. DEFINITION
Anna Freud defined defense mechanism as "unconscious resources
used by the ego" to ultimately decrease internal stress. Patients often
devise these unconscious mechanisms to decrease conflict within
themselves, specifically between the superego and id.
ID – SOURCE OF ALL
PSYCHIC ENERGY
EGO – RESP. FOR
DEALING WITH REALITY
SUPER EGO –
PROVIDES GUIDELINES
FOR MAKING
JUDGMENTS

5. PURPOSE
• Self security protection
• Anxiety reduction
• Mental conflict resolution
• Esteem (self) protection

6. CLASSIFICATION

7. DENIAL
Refusal to accept the reality

8. PROJECTION

9. DISTORTION
Grossly reshaping external reality to suit inner needs

10. SPLITTING
• Splitting of self – image or splitting of others.
• Negative and positive impulses are split off
• An individual views self/other people either too good or innately
evil.

11. DISPLACEMENT

12. REACTION FORMATION
Converting of unwanted or dangerous thoughts to the exact opposite
thought.

13. DISSOCIATION
Dealing with emotional conflict by a temporary alteration in
consciousness or identity.
Eg. Amnesia that prevents recall of yesterday’s auto accident

14. SOMATIZATION
Converting psychic derivatives into bodily symptoms and tending to
react with somatic manifestations rather than with psychic
manifestations.

15. INTROJECTION
Accepting another person’s attitudes, beliefs and values as one’s own
Am your
mother from
now!

16. HYPOCHONDRIASIS
Exaggerating or overemphasizing an illness for the purpose of
regression and evasion

17. BLOCKING
Temporarily or transiently inhibiting thinking.
Eg. In the middle of the conversation a women pauses, looks
confused and asked, “what was I just talking about?”

18. COMPENSATION
People overachieve in one area to compensate for failures in
another.

19. SUBSTITUITION
Replacing the desired unattainable goal with one that is attainable

20. SUBLIMATION
Transformation of negative emotions or instincts into positive actions
behavior or emotions.

21. RATIONALIZATION
Making excuses for behaviors and justify mistakes that are
considerable unacceptable
No one loves
superheroes…..
That’s why I’m
single.

22. REPRESSION & SUPPRESSION
Expelling or withholding an idea or feeling from unconsciousness.

23. UNDOING
An attempt to erase an act thought feelings guilt or desire

24. IDENTIFICATION
Taking on the roles of others or Attach to something positive

25. TRANSFERENCE
The image of one person is unconsciously identified with that of
another.
Hey! You are
looking like my
girl friend

26. INTELLECTUALIZATION
Blocks the emotional side and address only the facts.

27. HUMOR
Overt expression of ideas and feelings that gives
pleasure to others.

28. ALTRUISM
Constructive service to others that brings pleasure and
personal satisfaction.

29. CONCLUSION
Defense mechanism helps to reduce the anxiety and help an
individual to adjust better. But too much is always bad. Hence be
guarded against too much using of defense mechanism.

30. TO
RECAPITULATE…