Defense Mechanisms
Defense Mechanism Meaning Example
Denial Refusing to accept an A person with alcohol
obvious reality or fact to avoid addiction says, “Wala akong
emotional pain problem sa pag-inom.”
Repression Unconsciously pushing I cannot recall details of a
painful thoughts or childhood abuse
memories out of awareness
Suppression Consciously choosing to “Iisipin ko na lang problem ko
delay thinking about a after exams.”
stressful issue
Projection Attributing my own I am jealous but I accuse my
unacceptable feelings or partner of cheating
thoughts to someone else
Displacement Redirecting strong emotions Galit sa doctor → sinungitan
from the real source to a nurse
safer target
Substitution Replacing an unattainable Di ako natanggap sa dream
goal or object with a more school → I choose another
achievable alternative school and commit fully
Regression Returning to earlier, childlike Adult starts crying and
behaviors when stressed stomping feet when upset
Rationalization Creating logical but false “Kaya ako bumagsak kasi
explanations to justify pangit magturo prof.”
behavior or failure
Reaction Formation Behaving in a way opposite I dislike someone but act
to true feelings overly friendly
Sublimation Channeling unacceptable Aggressive feelings → boxing
impulses into socially or sports
acceptable actions
Compensation Overachieving in one area to Poor socially → excels
make up for weakness in academically
another
Identification Adopting traits or behaviors Student copies mannerisms
of someone admired of respected CI
Introjection Internalizing beliefs or values Taking parent’s strict moral
of others into one’s own rules as absolute truth
identity
Undoing Trying to reverse or “cancel After hurting someone →
out” an unacceptable act giving gifts and
over-apologizing
Intellectualization Focusing on facts and logic Discussing terminal illness
to avoid emotional distress purely in technical terms
Isolation of Affect Separating emotion from a Describing trauma without
painful thought or event showing feelings
Dissociation Temporary detachment from Feeling like watching oneself
reality or self to escape during trauma
distress
Splitting Viewing people or situations “Best friend ever” → after
as all good or all bad only conflict → “Worst person
alive”
Acting Out Expressing emotional conflict Teen stressed → suddenly
through actions instead of engages in risky behavior
reflection
Passive Aggression Indirect expression of anger Intentionally working slow
through resistance or delay when angry
Conversion Psychological stress converts After stress → sudden
into neurologic physical paralysis with no organic
symptoms cause
Somatization Emotional distress appears Anxiety → chronic stomach
as repeated physical pain
complaints
Fantasy Escaping reality by excessive Imagining success instead of
daydreaming addressing failure
Fixation Being stuck in an earlier Adult overly dependent like a
developmental stage child
Identification with Adopting behaviors of Abuse victim becomes
Aggressor someone threatening to feel controlling to others
safer
Idealization Overestimating positive Seeing a new partner as
qualities of a person “perfect”
Devaluation Attributing exaggerated After disappointment →
negative qualities to others “Wala siyang kwenta”
Humor Using comedy to express Joking about a serious
uncomfortable feelings diagnosis to cope
Altruism Dealing with stress by helping After loss → volunteering
others intensely
Anticipation Preparing emotionally for Mentally rehearsing for
future stress surgery outcome
REPRESSION
• Example 1 — Childhood trauma
“I honestly don’t remember anything about my grade school years. Sabi nila may nangyari daw
👉
na accident, but parang blank talaga sa mind ko.”
I repressed the memory because it was too painful.
• Example 2 — Breakup
👉
“Parang wala lang sa’kin yung breakup namin. I don’t even think about it anymore.”
But deep inside, na-push ko lang siya out of awareness.
• Example 3 — Hospital experience
👉
“Na-confine daw ako before and sobrang serious, but I can’t recall the details at all.”
My mind hid the stressful memory.
• Example 4 — Abuse or embarrassment
👉
“They keep telling me na napahiya ako dati sa stage, but I don’t remember it happening.”
Possible repression due to emotional overload.
Bipolar disorder primarily involves extreme mood swings (mania and depression),
while schizophrenia is characterized by a loss of touch with reality (hallucinations
and delusions).
Term Meaning Example
Hallucination Nakakakita, nakakarinig, or “Bes may naririnig ako na
nakakaramdam ka ng may tumatawag sa name
something na wala naman ko kahit wala naman tao
talaga in reality — galing dito.”
sa mind mo lang.
Delusion Strong belief ka sa isang “Sure ako spy ako ng
idea na hindi totoo, kahit government kahit student
may proof na mali siya, lang naman ako.”
naniniwala ka pa rin.
Illusion May real object, pero mali “Akala ko may ahas sa
lang interpretation mo sa sahig — yun pala lubid
nakita or narinig mo. lang.”
Mania Super taas ng mood and “3 days na ako walang
energy — sobra talkative, tulog pero game pa rin ako
di natutulog, impulsive, mag-start ng business,
feeling kaya lahat gawin. mag gym, mag travel —
kaya ko lahat!”
Depression Super baba ng mood — “Wala na akong gana sa
sad, walang gana, low lahat, kahit favorite food
energy, nawawalan ng
interest sa dating gusto ko ayoko na, gusto ko lang
mo. humiga whole day.”