Psychological defense mechanisms are directed from the very beginning of human life against anything that could provoke fear or discomfort. There is nothing pathological about this; every person employs defense mechanisms to strengthen their well-being and sense of security. The multitude of conscious and unconscious defense mechanisms that significantly shape our experiences is illustrated by Karl König through example situations both within and outside of psychotherapy. In therapy, specific forms of defense point to the underlying conflicts, which can then be recognized, brought to consciousness, and worked through. The form of defense, like that of transference, allows for insight into the genesis of conflicts. In everyday life, recognizing one's own defense mechanisms as well as those of others facilitates a less tense approach to new or anxiety-inducing situations.