What are defense mechanisms in psychology?

Defense mechanisms in psychology refer to unconscious strategies that individuals employ to protect themselves from anxiety and emotional distress. These mechanisms help manage feelings of conflict or anxiety that may arise from internal or external stressors. By operating unconsciously, defense mechanisms can distort reality or modify how experiences are perceived, allowing individuals to cope with difficult emotions or situations without conscious awareness.

For example, common defense mechanisms include repression (blocking unpleasant thoughts from consciousness), denial (refusing to accept reality), and projection (attributing one's unacceptable feelings to others). These strategies can provide temporary relief from stress but may not resolve the underlying issues that cause the anxiety. Understanding defense mechanisms is crucial in fields like psychoanalysis, where the focus is on uncovering these unconscious processes to help individuals achieve better psychological health.