A patient undergoing diagnostic tests says. "Nothing is wrong with me except a stubborn chest cold." The spouse reports the patient smokes, coughs daily. lost 15 pounds and is easily fatigued. Which defense mechanism is the patient using?

A. Regression is reverting to earlier developmental behaviors (e.g., thumb-sucking under stress). The patient is not showing childlike behaviors. B. Projection involves attributing one’s own unacceptable feelings to others. The patient is not blaming others for symptoms. C. Denial is refusing to acknowledge a painful reality. Despite clear symptoms and diagnostic testing, the patient minimizes illness by attributing it to "just a stubborn chest cold." D. Displacement is redirecting emotions onto a safer target (e.g., yelling at spouse instead of boss). Not evident here.