Sigmund Freud was the first to suggest that people create a series of defense mechanisms to fight against decisions or adversities that arise throughout our lives. These are concepts that start from Freud’s own theories of psychoanalysis , which have been studied over the years.
These psychological processes that regulate, hypothetically, the way in which our body behaves with some decisions are manifested in our actions and in our behaviors.
Throughout the history of psychology, at least ten basic parameters have been stipulated that serve as defense mechanisms for humans . These mechanisms are incorrect ways of resolving conflicts, and can lead to mental disorders, behavior disorders or somatization of conflicts, in the most extreme cases.
Displacement
Defense mechanisms that become incorrect ways of facing a conflict that usually result in attacks on objects or people. For example, beating the table at the decision of a boss against us. We decided to shift the anger towards the object.
Sublimation
Something similar to the previous mechanism but in a smoother way. The problems were focused on other activities such as physical exercise or artistic activities.
Repression
Process by which we erase painful events. It was the first defense mechanism that Freud studied. If we stay on a conscious level, our self will erase these painful events and thoughts.
Projection
Tendency of the individual to project their own thoughts onto other people. These projections can be aggressive and provoke feelings such as guilt, or sexual thoughts, which are not socially accepted.
Denial
This defense mechanism blocks external events from being left out of one’s consciousness. Treat aspects of reality as if they did not exist or as if they never existed.
Regression
It is a return to behaviors from previous situations, or habits from the past, which usually lead to immature behaviors.
Reactive training
We repress impulses, in addition to controlling others with an opposite behavior. A painful thought appears that we exchange for another more pleasant to our consciousness.
Isolation
It is a mechanism that our mind executes to better tolerate facts and reality. This happens when we have experienced a traumatic episode and we tell it with total normality, as if we were talking about a more mundane topic.
Condensation
Certain elements of the subconscious come together in a single image during sleep. It consists of the concentration of several meanings associated with a single sign.
Rationalization
A real reason that is not accepted is replaced by another that is accepted, even if it is not real. You change your own perspective of reality through a different explanation.
