Defence mechanisms

• Defence mechanisms


  The Ego uses defence mechanisms to help balance the conflict of the Id and the Superego. These are unconscious and ensure that the Ego is able to prevent us from being overwhelmed by temporary threats or traumas. However, they often involve some sort of distortion of reality and as a long-term solution they are regarded as psychologically unhealthy and undesirable.
• Repression


  Forcing a distressing memory out of the conscious mind. e.g. An individual forgetting the trauma of their favourite pet dying.
• Denial

  Refusing to acknowledge some aspects of reality. e.g. Continuing to turn up to work even though you have been fired.
• Displacement


  Transferring feelings from the true source of distressing emotion onto a substitute target. e.g. Slamming the door after an argument.