Defence mechanisms

• Why do we have them

  • The ego develops them as a way to defend feeling overwhelmed
  • Anxiety weakens the ego so defence mechanisms are needed to protect it
• Denial

  • If a situation is too much to handle the person may respond by refusing to perceive it or denying that it exists
• Repression

  • Not being able to recall a threatening situation, person or event. They may appear through subconscious means
• Displacement

  • The redirection of an impulse onto a powerless target