A child is arguing with their parents and slams their bedroom door. The child is DISPLACING their anger from their parents onto their door. This is the next coping strategy that people utilize. It gives an immediate, yet temporary, relief of undesirable emotions. In the example given, the relief is really temporary when the parents and child learn that in slamming the door, he/she broke it.

Displacing can also go from one environment to another. It is often unrealized by the displacer when this is occurring. For example, let’s say that a spouse is having a strained relationship with their partner. The spouse goes to work and displaces anger or passive-aggressiveness onto their boss. The spouse feels some relief and even feels better about going home at the end of the day. However, the anger that was displayed in the office can lead to many other problems down the road…. the spouse may then displace their anger towards their partner due to strained work environment… thus creating a never ending circle.

Displacement is an interesting coping strategy, in that it is often not realized that this is what is being utilized. It usually comes out through therapy or a third party that is privy to information in all environments. It can be quite harmful if someone displaces often. It harms current relationships and keeps potential relationships at a distance. We can only imagine what could happen to the spouse in the example above.

If you find that you release your emotions onto another after having a rough day, argument, or experiencing a stressful event take stock of your emotions and make things right. Acknowledge to yourself and other parties involved that your interactions were due to outside situations; an apology also helps. 

Displacement can also be a positive, in that you have a great day, a wonderful experience and you displace your love, your happiness, and good fortune onto others (wisely); this is a rewarding experience that will improve relationships and bring other relationships closer. That is, if you practice positive displacement without negative displacement.

…more coping strategies to come.