As children, everyone developed five defense mechanisms that we continue to use in our adult lives. We developed these defense mechanisms so we wouldn't have to feel that, as small children, we didn't get what we needed.

Fear

Before a child has the cognitive capacity to develop defense mechanisms based on certain cognitions—illusions—only fear provides some protection against becoming fully aware of and feeling the truth.

• Fear creates the illusion that there is still a way to escape.
• Physiology: extreme and sudden peaks in stress hormone production aimed at flight.
• Characteristics: anxiety disorders such as phobias (e.g., public speaking) and panic attacks (e.g., when receiving criticism).

Primary Defense (PD)

The PD protects us from the truth that our old needs will not be met with the illusion: “I'm not getting what I need because there is something wrong with me”

• The PD is characterized by thoughts and feelings that fit into one of the following three categories: I'm no good, I'm guilty, I can't do it.
• Physiology: passivity-inducing stress hormones (corticosteroids, cf. cortisol)
• Characteristics: insecurity, feelings of inferiority, depression, despondency, self-undermining feelings and thoughts, suicidal thoughts (what's the point of it all) or wishes.

False Hope (FH)

FH protects us from the life-threatening truth with the illusion: “I can get what I need, if only I …… (am nicer, try harder, am smarter, am richer, make sure others feel good, etc.)”.

• Physiology: activity-inducing stress hormones (catecholamines, cf. adrenaline).
• Characteristics: feelings of stress and behavior aimed at pleasing others/meeting others' expectations (e.g., being 'nice', subordinating), doing everything as well as possible (perfectionism), not delegating. FH is reflected in all kinds of complaints such as worrying, ruminating, poor sleep, always being busy and not allowing oneself to rest, chronic fatigue syndrome/ME, RSI (so-called mouse arm), burnout, and overstrain.

False Power (FP)

FP protects us by presenting the illusion: “I can get what I need, if only you…….(were nicer, tried harder, didn't nag so much, were smarter, etc.)”.

• Physiology: action-oriented stress hormones (catecholamines, cf. adrenaline).
• Characteristics: feelings of stress, impatience, irritation, anger, and aggressive (or superiority) thoughts, feelings, and behaviors resulting in intimidating and authoritarian behavior, many conflicts, poor cooperation, isolation, domestic violence.

Denial of Needs (DoN)

DoN protects us with the illusion: “I have no needs at all/don't need anything”: everything is fine as it is, just act normal, it's not that bad, don't make a fuss, I don't have a problem, it doesn't matter, it'll be fine.

• Physiology: a numbed state of being as a result of. the action of possibly endorphins, among others.
• Characteristics: difficult to truly reach for others, not truly involved, not seeing a real problem in anything, avoidance behavior/sub-assertive/avoiding confrontations (not giving criticism/real feedback), not daring to make decisions. Little drive, ambition, intimacy (superficial or no relationships) and passion, poor contact with feelings in the body (not properly sensing emotional or illness signals). Often this defense is maintained using all kinds of addictions (smoking, drinking, eating, not eating, shopping, exercising, workaholism, sex, gambling, etc.) and seeking passive distractions (e.g., TV) that contribute to maintaining the numbed state of being, in which one feels no neediness and little tension.

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