Denial is a common obstacle in overcoming and addressing mental health issues. We use denial to protect ourselves from stressful or unfavorable situations. Even though overcoming denial and facing issues head-on is challenging, it can be overcome.
What Is Denial?
Denial is a defense mechanism that the mind uses to protect itself from stress and discomfort. It is an unconscious tool that protects us by distorting our reality to allow us to feel we have control under stress. Those in denial avoid addressing the problem, their behavior and their thoughts. Denying these things permits the mind to continue to function without disturbance.
How Denial Can Be Damaging
Even though denial was developed to help us cope, it can also be very dangerous. In some situations, denial can lead some to ignore or refuse physical and mental health conditions. Refusal to acknowledge certain problems continues to worsen the issues at hand.
Denying health and substance misuse challenges can affect more than just the person struggling; it can also negatively impact their loved ones. For example, a partner or child of someone struggling with alcoholism may have to deal with the negative consequences of their loved one’s intoxication. Loved ones can also be in denial about another’s struggles, which can lead to a lack of necessary treatment or intervention. Some parents may find themselves in denial when a child approaches them seeking help, which can be exceedingly damaging to the child’s well-being and development.
Because of its far-reaching negative impacts, denial is important to address and overcome.
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Why Do People Deny Their Poor Mental Health?
Despite poor mental health being a genuine health concern and more than 1 in 5 US adults living with a mental health disorder, denial of poor mental health is still prevalent. People purposely or unknowingly ignore signs of poor mental health because it allows them to cope with other aspects of life more easily. Reasons people may ignore signs of declining or poor mental health may include:
- Stigma: Despite many mental health conditions being highly treatable, many people still hold negative beliefs about mental health conditions.
- Lack of understanding of mental health and its symptoms: Some people may not know or recognize the symptoms of poor mental health. Oftentimes, people will accredit poor mental health symptoms to tiredness, stress, other life events or personal defects instead of considering the need for mental health assistance.
- Cultural and personal beliefs surrounding mental well-being: Some cultures may view mental health disorders as a weakness or personal defect and hold the belief that people can just “get over it” or “tough it out” without intervention.
- Fear of discrimination: A fear of discrimination within one’s workplace, social circles or family if they disclose their mental health needs causes some to ignore and avoid negative mental health symptoms.
- Desire to maintain a certain self-image: To preserve their self-image, some people may lie about or deny signs of mental health issues. To some, coming to terms with poor mental health may include admitting a lack of control, status or ability.
- Fear of medical and psychiatric treatment: Part of accepting negative mental health symptoms may also include accepting the need to seek treatment. Fear of potential physical or social side effects of medical intervention or treatment may cause some to ignore the reality of their struggles.
Denial is important to address when working to overcome mental health disorders. Addressing denial in therapy can help reveal underlying challenges that are often causing a person distress.
Signs of Poor Mental Health
Mental health concerns can be a concern for anyone at any age and can stem from a variety of internal and external factors. Mental health concerns can be long- or short-term and arise at different points in people’s lives. Signs of poor mental health are often overlooked or ignored due to negative stigma or a lack of understanding.
Common signs that may signal poor or worsening mental health can include:
- Confusion, problems thinking and difficulty concentrating
- Repeatedly avoiding loved ones and social situations
- Changes in sleeping habits, excessive sleepiness or tiredness
- Changes in eating habits, such as increased or decreased appetite
- Extreme mood changes, prolonged or strong feelings of irritability, fear or worriedness
Different levels of treatment may be more effective depending on the severity of symptoms and the level of help desired. However, mental health concerns are highly treatable and professional treatment or assistance can benefit most people. Official or current diagnoses are not required to seek professional help. Many people who actively receive professional therapy or counseling do not fit all the criteria for mental health diagnoses. The Recovery Village offers several mental health treatment options, including inpatient and outpatient care.
More severe symptoms that should prompt medical intervention include:
- Inability to complete daily tasks and activities
- Difficulties perceiving reality, such as delusions or hallucinations
- Alcohol and substance misuse
- Suicidal ideation and self-harm
Professional medical intervention is necessary if you or a loved one are displaying signs or symptoms that may put you, them or someone else at risk.
How Do You Know You’re in Denial?
People experiencing denial may exhibit certain behaviors to avoid the reality of the situation. Those who are in denial often:
- Try to defend and minimize problems or unhealthy behaviors
- Participate in activities that help them avoid thinking about their issues
- Shift blame for unhealthy behavior or problems and avoid taking responsibility
- Become defensive and refuse to talk about what they are denying
These actions can manifest in different ways depending on the person and topic of denial. Some ways denial may present in people include:
- Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness — Those in denial may also withdraw or isolate themselves to avoid facing the issues at hand.
- Bullying — Those in denial sometimes shift blame and exert power over others instead of accepting reality. Aggression can also be a common reaction when faced with the truth of an unwanted situation.
- Substance use and self-harm — In order to deal with suppressed emotions and stress, those in denial may also turn to repeated harmful behaviors.
How Can I Get Out of Denial?
Once you recognize that you are or may be in denial about your mental health, you’ll be able to take the first steps toward recovery. Acceptance is a personal journey, and there is no one way to go about it. However, there are some things you can do to help guide yourself out of denial.
One way to help yourself toward meaningful change is to seek help. Therapists and other mental health professionals are great sources of guidance. However, some may not be ready for such a large step — reaching out to a trusted loved one, such as a family member or friend, is also a good place to start. If you’re not sure you’re ready to seek treatment, sometimes just asking them to listen or for support can help empower you toward acceptance.
To better understand why you may be in denial, it’s important to ask yourself why you might be afraid to face the issue. Speaking through these feelings with a loved one or licensed professional may lead to honest, objective feedback to help you better understand your feelings. As you work towards acceptance, it will also become important to identify when you have distorted thoughts or feelings of denial. Understanding these thoughts and where they come from will help you understand the anxieties and obstacles you may face.
How Can I Help a Loved One in Denial?
If you see a loved one struggling with denial, you can help them be honest with themselves and overcome the barriers of denial. However, whether you approach them or they approach you, you must approach the situation carefully.
The most important thing to do for someone in denial is to let them know you are there for them. Overcoming denial is stressful; supporting their steps toward meaningful change is important. Find ways to educate yourself about mental wellness and challenge the stigma surrounding mental health.
It’s important to allow those in denial to vent to you and speak honestly. This will allow them to openly explore their emotions and understand their denial. Remember that you cannot force these conversations or change within them. Allow yourself to be just as open to the process as they must be in order to improve their condition.
Even though professional intervention is highly beneficial, internalized stigmas and fears surrounding healthcare may push some further away from necessary acceptance and recovery. If fears around treatment are preventing a loved one from seeking the help they need, take time to help them break down these negative beliefs. Carefully reassure them that treatment is not a sign of weakness and that their condition is treatable.
If your loved one is particularly struggling to accept their denial or need for professional assistance, stronger forms of intervention may be a beneficial option. However, immediate professional intervention may be necessary if the situation becomes dangerous to you, them, or others around them.
Primary Mental Health Care at The Recovery Village
The Recovery Village offers a range of treatment options and therapies to help you recover from poor mental health. In both inpatient and outpatient care, The Recovery Village is able to provide a range of therapies including, but not limited to:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
- Motivational Interviewing (MI)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
If you are seeking intensive mental health care, The Recovery Village provides evidence-based, physician-led inpatient mental health treatment. In our inpatient care, patients heal in a safe, comfortable environment away from the stressors of everyday life. While undergoing voluntary inpatient treatment, patients live with their peers and participate in professionally guided individual, group and recreational therapy, peer-led support groups and other activities to help achieve their individual treatment goals. Round-the-clock medical supervision is provided to all patients, as are regularly scheduled sessions with compassionate psychiatrists and licensed mental health professionals to create an individualized and effective treatment plan.
The Recovery Village also provides outpatient mental health care to those with milder conditions and those transitioning back into their everyday lives from more intensive treatment. In outpatient care, patients receive personalized, evidence-based treatment and regularly attend different individual and group therapy sessions led by our team of licensed professionals while continuing to live in their communities. Patients are also connected to community support groups and assistance to ensure they always have the support they need, even after they leave our care.
If you are simultaneously struggling with a mental health disorder and substance misuse, The Recovery Village is equipped to treat co-occurring disorders. If you are seeking care for co-occurring disorders, your treatment will begin with an evaluation of your individual needs. Our professional and medical staff will help you decide your main focus, substance abuse treatment or mental health treatment, and then will develop a personalized care plan to best suit your needs in your journey to recovery.
