When these unknowns are commonly and regularly exposed, the fears seem to diminish and disappear. In most cases this is but a temporary repression of what was never reconciled, only exposed. Thus does the buried fear putrefy and spread like an infection of the mind. The trick is not to deny the presence of fear, nor to attempt to banish it by force. Rather admit to fears, as well as mistakes or shortcomings, and acknowledge them openly.
Confession can be an intensely empowering act of self-reclamation.
Fear of exposure must be active in us in order for DFEs to use these secrets and fears as a weapon against us. Fear is anything unlike peace, love or well being. Therefore all worry, concern, anxiety, doubt, uneasiness, revenge, guilt, blame, condemnation, resistance, and so on, is fear. No matter how slight the disturbance, it is nonetheless fear. Just as a female cannot be a little bit pregnant, so also we cannot be a little bit fearful.