First of all we need to discuss what defense mechanisms are before we relate each to victims, suvivors and even abusers when it comes to domestic violence relationships. Defense mechanisms are behaviors our mind use to help us deal with situations. Defenses are ultimately something we do to protect ourselves from pain. There are a number of defense mechanisms that have been defined by psychologists and psychiatrists but for the next few weeks, we are going to discuss the following 15 common defense mechanisms and how each person in a domestic violence relationship may use them. You could be displaying one of these as a victim, survivor or abuser and not know it.

1. Denial

2. Regression

3. Acting Out

4. Dissociation

5. Compartmentalization

6. Projection

7. Reaction Formation

8. Repression

9. Displacement

10. Intellectualization

11. Rationalization

12. Undoing

13. Sublimation

14. Compensation

15. Assertiveness