A pattern of thinking that either (a) helps us repress thoughts or emotions that make us anxious, or (b) allow us to change what is really happening into something we can deal with better. When we are faced with thoughts and feelings we feel guilty about having, defense mechanisms come to the rescue, converting those “bad” thoughts and feelings into something we won’t feel guilty about. You will understand better if you look at the chart that accompanies the psychodynamic model
