Psychological defense mechanisms are often used by an individual to cope with reality and maintain self-image. These often occur outside our awareness as part of the automatic responses that make up our mental, emotional and behavioral habits.

Below is a list of the defense mechanisms most often identified with each Enneagram personality type. Following each defense mechanism is my attempt to describe its relevant meaning to the type.

1. Reaction Formation
   where unacceptable urges or emotions are replaced with opposite behaviors.
2. Repression
   where personal desires and needs are excluded from consciousness.
3. Identification
   where the self-image models the expectations of others.
4. Introjection
   where a sense of rejection by the world is internalized as a negative self-image.
5. Isolation
   where emotion is detached from a situation in favor of intellectual content.
6. Projection
   where unacknowledged self motives, feelings and thoughts are attributed to others.
7. Rationalization
   where unacknowledged self-indulgence is justified through good reasoning.
8. Denial
   where emotions or sensations of vulnerability are not acknowledged.
9. Narcotization
   where conflict and discomfort are avoided through self-comforting activities and routines.