Article Sections

Introduction

Defense mechanisms are unconscious means of responding and adapting to situations to minimize anxiety and promote self-preservation.  Defense mechanisms are crucial to both normal and pathologic behavior and help manage stress, anxiety, and unacceptable impulses.

Classification of defense mechanisms

Defense mechanisms can be broadly classified into 2 categories: mature and immature.  These classifications aid in understanding the adaptive value of defense mechanisms and the potential for pathologic behavior.

Mature defense mechanisms

These mechanisms are considered adaptive and promote healthy functioning.  They include:

  • Altruism:  deriving pleasure from helping others, often at a personal cost
    • Example:  volunteering at a free clinic to cope with one's feelings of inadequacy
  • Sublimation:  channeling unacceptable impulses into socially acceptable behaviors
    • Example:  taking up sports or exercise (eg, boxing) to deal with aggressive impulses

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