Defense Mechanisms

Defense mechanisms are behaviors that people use, including kids and teens, to protect themselves from anxiety during distressing situations. Examples of these defense mechanisms include compensation, denial, and displacement. Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, first discussed them.

We created this wall art showing 12 defense mechanisms that young people may use in their everyday lives to cope. You can display it in your psychotherapy office and use it to discuss how these defense mechanisms work.