Everyone has developed five defense mechanisms as a child, which we still use in our adult lives. We developed these defense mechanisms to avoid feeling that we didn't get what we needed as a small child. This test helps you discover which mechanisms you use most and what your defense profile is. This test is not about right or wrong, but about how you react in certain situations.

Fear
Before the child has the cognitive abilities to develop defense mechanisms based on certain cognitions - illusions - only fear provides some protection against fully becoming aware and feeling the truth.
* Fear creates the illusion that there is still a possibility to escape.
* Physiology: extreme and suddenly peaking stress hormone production aimed at fleeing.
* Characteristics: anxiety disorders such as phobias (e.g. public speaking) and panic attacks (e.g. when criticized).

Primary Defense (PD)
The PD protects us from the truth that our old needs will not be met with the illusion:
* “I don’t get 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 am worthless, I am guilty, I can't do it.
* Physiology: passivity-causing stress hormones (corticosteroids, cf. cortisol)
* Characteristics: insecurity, feelings of inferiority, depression, discouragement, self-undermining feelings, -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 others feel good, etc.)”.
* Physiology: activity-causing stress hormones (catecholamines, cf. adrenaline).
* Characteristics: feelings of stress and behavior aimed at pleasing others/meeting the expectations of others (e.g. being 'sweet', subordinate), 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 (the so-called mouse arm), burn-out and overexertion.

False Power (FP)
FP protects us by maintaining the illusion:
* “I can get what I need, if only you…….(are nicer, try harder, don't whine 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 don't have any 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 will all be alright.
* Physiology: numbed state of being as a result of. action of possibly including endorphins.
* Characteristics: difficult to really reach for others, not really involved, not really seeing a 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 feeling emotional or disease signals well). Often this defense is maintained by means of all kinds of addictions (smoking, drinking, eating, not-eating, shopping, sports, work-aholic, sex, gambling, etc.) and seeking passive distraction (e.g. TV) that contribute to maintaining the numbed state of being, in which one feels no neediness and little tension.

With this test you can determine which defense mechanism you use most. Everyone uses all five forms of defense including fear, but there is a difference in the regularity with which we use them. With this test you will find out which form(s) you prefer.

Before the test

Before you start the defense mechanism test, it is good to estimate the extent to which you think you use the five types of defense (fear, primary defense, false hope, false power, denial of needs).

Give a number from 1 to 10 after each sentence to indicate the extent to which the statement applies to you. 1 means 'does not apply to me at all' and 10 means 'applies to me exactly'.

During the test

Then follows the real defense mechanism test. Be as honest as possible. That is not easy, because the defense mechanisms do not show us from our best side. But be aware that you are now taking important steps to tackle these mechanisms. Do you notice that you still want to make your score (a little) better? Then remember that it means that a defense mechanism has been activated.

After the test

After completing the test and filling in your contact details, you will receive the result (your personal defense profile) with a detailed explanation in your email.