Ego defense mechanisms

Compensation

covering up a real or perceived weakness by emphasizing a trait one considers more desirable ex. a teenage boy with cerebral palsy is unable to participate in football, so he works instead on becoming a great student

Displacement

the transfer of feelings from one target to another that is considered less threatening or that is neutral e.x. a patient is angry at his doctor and does not express it but becomes verbally abusive with the nurse

projection

attributing feelings or impulses unacceptable to oneself to another person ex. A man who is addicted to alcohol blames his wife for his excessive drinking

rationalization

attempting to make excuses or formulate logical reasons to justify unacceptable feelings or behaviours ex. a patient tells the rehab nurse “ I drink because its the only way i can deal with my bad marriage and terrible job.”

regression

responding to stress by retreating to an earlier level of development and using comfort measures associated with that level of functioning ex.When a 2 Y/O is hospitalized for tonsillitis, he will drink only from a bottle, although his mom states he haas been drinking from a cup for 6 months.

sublimation

a rechanneling of drive or impulses that are personally or socially unacceptable into activities that are constructive ex. a mother whose drunk son was killed by a drunk driver channels her anger and energy into being the president of the local Mother’s against drunk drivers org.