William lives a lifestyle that places him at a high risk for contracting the HIV (AIDS) virus. He insists that he does not have any chance of being infected and refuses to take precautions. From the psychoanalytic point of view, William is using the defence mechanism of

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William's refusal to take precautions and his belief that he cannot be infected despite being at high risk is a clear example of denial. Denial is a defence mechanism in which a person refuses to acknowledge or believe information or facts that would cause anxiety or distress, and instead insists that things are different than they really are. In this case, William is denying the reality of his situation and avoiding the anxiety and fear that would come with acknowledging the risks he is taking.

William Lives a Lifestyle That Places Him at a High