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Repression is an attempt to block out unpleasant or distressing memories, thoughts, or desires. Repression differs from suppression, which is intentionally trying to forget an experience. With repression, the memories are pushed into the subconscious, and the individual is unaware of their existence. Repression can negatively affect the human psyche, causing problems such as severe anxiety, phobias, and unacceptable behaviors. According to Daniel Weinberger, a psychologist at Stanford University, about one in six individuals is a repressor, or a person who represses.

The concept of defense mechanisms was originally proposed in the early twentieth century by Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, who described them as ways to protect a person from experiencing overwhelming anxiety by keeping unacceptable impulses and thoughts from coming into conscious awareness. Anxiety is an unpleasant state of emotional distress signaling impending danger and is quite difficult to tolerate. According to Freud, anxiety is experienced when there is internal conflict or conflict between the self and external reality. Defense mechanisms distort reality, allowing people to feel less anxious.