What is Denial and How Do I Get Through It?

Denial keeps us locked into the behaviour we are trying to change by convincing us that what we’re doing is not that bad, necessary on some level or will change. All these assumptions are wrong. This post poses the questions you need to ask yourself to navigate your way out of denial. 

Many people use denial as a defence mechanism to avoid confronting unpleasant or uncomfortable realities. This is especially true in the case of addiction and mental health issues, where people may refuse to acknowledge their problems or the impact they have on their lives and the lives of those around them. However, denial only serves to exacerbate the problem and prevent people from seeking help. In this article, we will look at the basic psychology of denial and how people can work through it to overcome addiction and mental health issues.

The Psychology Behind Denial

Denial is a psychological defence mechanism that allows people to avoid the emotional pain and discomfort that comes with acknowledging a problem or reality that threatens their sense of self. When confronted with a difficult truth, denial allows people to dismiss or minimise the issue in order to maintain their self-esteem and avoid feelings of shame, guilt, or anxiety.

Individuals may deny mental health problems for a variety of reasons. For one thing, there is still a significant stigma associated with mental illness, which can make it difficult for people to recognise their problems and seek help. Furthermore, many people are ashamed or embarrassed about their symptoms and are afraid of being judged or rejected by others. Some people may be afraid of the consequences of admitting their problems, such as losing their job or damaging their relationships.

Addiction and Denial

Denial is especially common in addiction, where people refuse to admit they have a problem or the impact their substance use is having on their lives. This can be due to a variety of factors, such as the shame and stigma associated with addiction, the belief that they have control over their substance use, or the fear of facing the difficult recovery process.

However, denial only serves to perpetuate addiction and prevents people from seeking help. Individuals must first recognise that they have a problem and be willing to seek treatment in order to overcome addiction. This can be a challenging and unpleasant process, but it is necessary for long-term recovery.

Getting Past Denial

Breaking through denial can be a difficult and unpleasant process, but it is a necessary step towards recovery from addiction and mental health issues. Here are some coping strategies for dealing with denial:

• Recognize the problem
  Recognizing the problem is the first step towards overcoming denial. This entails being honest with yourself about your difficulties and the impact they have on your life.
• Seek help
  Dealing with denial on your own can be difficult. Seeking help from a trusted friend or family member, a therapist, or a support group can provide you with the encouragement and guidance you require to get through this difficult time.
• Learn more
  About addiction and mental health to better understand your struggles and feel more empowered to seek help. It may also assist in reducing the stigma and shame associated with these issues.
• Self-care
  Taking care of your physical and emotional needs is an important part of overcoming denial. This includes getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and doing things that make you happy and fulfilled.
• Be patient
  Overcoming denial is a long and difficult process. It takes time and effort, but the results are well worth it. Remember to be gentle with yourself and to rejoice in every small victory along the way.

Read more about denial in drug and alcohol addiction cases here and on this page here. This page is part of a series of articles that we did about understanding the links in addiction and trauma and getting support and treatment. It was a great process where we rounded up all the counsellors and started asking the kinds of questions that so many patients were asking. Definately worth a visit.