Final answer:
An individual expressing concern that the doctor will be angry due to the discontinuation of medication could be demonstrating projection, which is a defense mechanism. This can create an unnecessary communication barrier in the doctor-patient relationship.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement "You feel you cannot talk to the doctor because she will be angry you stopped taking the medicine." could be an example of projecting or a communication barrier. Projection is a psychological defense mechanism where individuals attribute feelings, motives, or attitudes they find unacceptable in themselves to someone else. In this context, the individual may be projecting their own feelings of guilt or anxiety about stopping the medication onto the doctor, anticipating disapproval or anger that may not actually occur. This could create a communication barrier between the patient and the doctor, where the patient's assumption about the doctor's reaction hinders an open and honest discussion about their health and treatment.