So initially, when you’re younger and not yet cognitively or emotionally mature, your defenses warrant praise. After all, they “saved the day” for you. The problem with most defenses, however, is that they don’t self-adjust to adapt to stressful conditions you’re likely to face later on. Because they’re essentially involuntary (in a sense, with a mind of their own), they continue to function as they did originally, conflating the present with the past.

That is, anything reminding them of an earlier time when they came forth to alleviate your anxiety will function to reactivate them. For they’re still singularly devoted to helping you deal with worrisome situations, but as though you’re still much younger than you are today.