Ego Defense Mechanisms

Ego defense mechanisms are unconscious strategies our minds use to protect us from anxiety or stress. They help us manage difficult emotions or situations by distorting or avoiding reality in ways that feel safer. Examples include denial (refusing to accept an uncomfortable truth), projection (attributing our feelings to others), or repression (pushing distressing thoughts out of awareness). These mechanisms are normal and can function adaptively, but overuse may hinder real problem-solving. Understanding them can improve self-awareness and emotional resilience by recognizing how we cope with challenges internally.