When we are frightened by our feelings it is most natural that we find ways in which to defend against the feelings.This ultimately interferes with our ability to identify the feelings when they occur.By recognizing what we do to mask our feelings,we are in a better position to identify our more hidden feelings.For instance,when we hear ourselves intellectualizing,and we know we use that as a defense to mask our fear,we can now ask ourselves whether or not we are afraid.If we ackknowledge we use sarcasm to mask our anger,we can own the anger when we hear our own caustic remarks.