<s class="aside-in"><em>mentioned in 2 topics, 9 evergreens, 2 sources</em></s> #### <s class="topic-title">[[defense-mechanisms]]</s> > [!wikipedia] [Defense mechanism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defense%20mechanism) > > In:: [[psychoanalytic theory]], > a defense mechanism is an [[unconscious]] manipulation, denial, or distortion of reality that functions to protect a person from [[anxiety]]-producing thoughts and feelings related to internal conflicts and outer stressors. > > This defense may involve: > - [[self-repression|repression]] - burying the painful feeling below one's awareness > - identification - incorporating an object or thought into oneself > - [[rationalizations]] - justification of one's behavior and motivations > > Healthy people normally use different Defense mechanisms throughout life. A defense mechanism becomes pathological only when its persistent use leads to maladaptive [[behavior]] such that the physical or [[mental health]] of the individual is adversely affected. Among the purposes of defense mechanisms is to protect the [[mind]]/[[self]]/[[ego]] from [[anxiety]] or social sanctions or to provide a refuge from a situation with which one cannot currently cope. > > > ##### ^dataviews > [!dataview]+ Related unlinked notes > > - [[Anxiety is a defense-mechanism of the brain]] > - [[Rationalizations are defense-mechanisms against strong emotions]] > [!dataview]- Other unlinked mentions > > - [[notes - Working with Samskaras]] > - [[video - How logical thinking leads to irrationality]] > - [[topics]] > - [[43 Mental Health]] > - [[44 Identity]] > - [[Meditation helps us gain control over our emotions]] > - [[Our brain actively inhibits us from processing repressed emotions]] > - [[Our ego is our subconscious defense of our self]] > - [[Overly interrogative parents can lead to alexithymic children]] > - [[We value our biggest insecurities because they protect us from the biggest threats]]