Defense Mechanisms

Front

Making up for weakness in one area by achieving in another.

Back

Compensation

Front

Imagining pleasant things that take your mind off the unpleasant reality

Back

Daydreaming

Front

Refusing to accepts reality

Back

Denial

Front

Shifting feelings about one person to another person

Back

Displacement

Front

Copying someone you think highly of because you do not feel good about who you are

Back

Idealization

Front

Seeing your own faults or feelings in someone else

Back

Projection

Front

Making excuses for or justifying behavior

Back

Rationalization

Front

Reacting to emotions in a childlike or immature fashion

Back

Regression

Front

Blocking out painful thoughts or feelings

Back

Repression