Defense mechanisms - level 1

Level 1 - Pathological
The mechanisms on this level, when predominating, almost always are severely pathological. These four defenses, in conjunction, permit one to effectively rearrange external experiences to eliminate the need to cope with reality. The pathological users of these mechanisms frequently appear crazy to others. These are the "psychotic" defenses. However, they are found in dreams and throughout childhood as well, because children have not yet learned better ways to cope.
They include:

Delusional Projection: Grossly frank delusions about external reality, usually feelings of being victim to cruel or unfair treatment.

Denial: Refusal to accept external reality because it is too threatening; arguing against an anxiety-provoking situation by stating it doesn't exist; resolution of emotional conflict and reduction of anxiety by refusing to perceive or consciously acknowledge the more unpleasant aspects of external reality.

Distortion: A gross reshaping of external reality to meet internal needs.

Splitting: A primitive defense. Negative and positive impulses are split off and unintegrated. Fundamental example: An individual views other people as either innately good or innately evil, rather than a whole continuous being.