The Ego is our view of self. Much of Sigmund Freud’s work was around our ego and how it protects itself. The ego:

So, when we think about identity, habits, triggers, conversations and suchlike, often it is the ego that is trying to defend itself rather than opening communication, finding out about others, and taking risks.

Defence mechanism for the Ego

Which of these different mechanisms do you use when feeling uncomfortable? If you have had a confrontation about a crisis, which of these did you use the response to the accusation?

What's your defense mechanisms?

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Acting out (food, pornography, alcohol etc.)
Compensation: use another less threatening approach
Defence devaluation: cover up feelings
Denial
Displacement redirecting feelings to another
Emotional isolation: withdrawal into passivity
Fantasy and minimising
Intellectualisation: Use of logic to cut off emotional change
Isolation / Withdrawal
Isolation of effect: you think a feeling but don’t really feel it
Projection
Rationalisation & Justification
Reaction Formation (“I don’t want to hurt you; I love you”)
Regression: using old, immature behaviour
Repression
Sublimation: redirect feeling to socially acceptable
Suppression
Turning against self