In psychology, defence mechanisms are defined as unconscious strategies that people use to protect themselves from anxious thoughts or feelings. However, if used for too long or too often, they can become problematic and sabotage interpersonal relationships. 10 Defence Mechanisms You Might Be Using1. Denial is one of the most common defence mechanisms. People in denial may block or refuse to accept external events or situations so that they don't have to deal with their emotional impact. Example: A person who has been diagnosed with a serious illness might ignore medical advice and continue to live as though nothing is wrong.2. Repression is the act of hiding bad thoughts, painful memories, and irrational beliefs in hopes of forgetting them. However, this mechanism does not ensure that the memories disappear entirely. They may influence behaviour and impact future relationships. Example: An individual who experienced childhood trauma might have trouble remembering the events but may still have difficulty forming close relationships due to underlying trust issues.3. Projection is a defense mechanism where individuals attribute their own undesirable feelings, thoughts, or behaviors to others. Example: A person who is feeling guilty about their own dishonesty might accuse others of being deceitful.4. In displacement, a person directs strong emotions and frustrations toward a person or object that doesn’t feel threatening. This allows them to satisfy an impulse to react without risking significant consequences. Example: An employee who is frustrated with their boss might come home and yell at their family instead of addressing the issue at work.5. Some people who feel threatened or anxious may unconsciously "escape" to earlier stages of development. This is called regression. Young children facing a loss may start to act as if they are younger again. They may start bed-wetting or sucking their thumbs. Adults can regress by starting to sleep with their favorite stuffed toys, overeating their comfort food, etc.Example: An adult who loses their job might start behaving like a child, seeking comfort in old toys or excessive eating.6. Rationalization involves people attempting to explain undesirable behaviours with their own set of "facts." This allows them to feel comfortable with the choice they made, even if they know on another level it’s not right. Example: A person who procrastinates might rationalize their behaviour by saying they work better under pressure, even though they know it causes unnecessary stress.7. Sublimation is a mature and positive defence mechanism because individuals who use it channel their intense emotions or feelings into a suitable and constructive outlet, such as a meaningful activity or an appropriate object. Example: Someone experiencing anger might take up kickboxing as a way to channel their aggression in a productive and healthy manner.8. People who use reaction formation recognize how they feel, but they choose to behave in a manner completely opposite to their instincts. Example: A person who feels jealous of a colleague's success might go out of their way to compliment and support that colleague, masking their true feelings.9. In compartmentalization, people separate their lives into independent, isolated categories. This allows them to manage and mitigate internal conflicts by keeping different parts of their experience from interfering with one another, thus maintaining a sense of order and control. Example: A person might keep their personal and professional lives entirely separate, avoiding any overlap between their work responsibilities and personal relationships.10. A person using intellectualization may choose to remove all emotion from their responses and instead focus on quantitative facts when faced with a trying situation. Example: After a car accident, an individual might focus solely on the details of the insurance claim and repair costs, avoiding any discussion or consideration of their emotional distress.