D efense mechanisms help us cope with unpleasant aspects of reality, but over reliance on them can create serious problems. Denial - We are protecting self from unpleasant reality by refusal to face or accept the problems of a certain unpleasant reality, like addiction problems. We see it in co-dependency, physical abuse, domestic violence, and so forth. Fantasy - Gratifying frustrated desires by imaginary achievement. Repression is unconscious.
Suppression is conscious.
When we prevent painful thoughts, we stop ourselves from thinking, we are suppressing our thoughts. We are attempting to prove our behavior is justifiable. Projection - We are projecting our feelings onto someone else. Placing blame onto others, or attributing our own unethical desires onto others. Displacement - Discharging pent up feelings, usually of hostility, onto less threatening subjects.