Defense mechanisms are unconscious strategies whereby people protect themselves from anxious thoughts or feelings. Defense mechanisms aren’t inherently bad—they can allow people to navigate painful ...

You may use defense mechanisms to help protect you from stress, but they can be both helpful and harmful. Recognizing defense ...

Displacement is a defense mechanism that involves transferring negative feelings from one thing to another. For example, a person angry at their boss may “take out” their anger on a family member. The ...