Classic psychological condition.

Brave AI compilation, pretty accurate to the textbook defenitions I remember

Psychological projection is a defense mechanism where an individual unconsciously attributes their own unacceptable thoughts, feelings, or traits to another person to avoid confronting internal discomfort or anxiety. First introduced by Sigmund Freud in 1895, it functions as an ego-protective strategy that externalizes unpleasant impulses rather than acknowledging them within oneself.

While projection is a common psychological behavior that can occur in anyone, it is frequently observed in individuals with specific conditions such as narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), borderline personality disorder (BPD), and antisocial traits. It is also linked to anxiety, depression, and can escalate to paranoid delusions in severe cases where the individual loses touch with reality.