Denial

Denial is a psychological defense mechanism proposed by psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud, in which a person is faced with a fact that is too uncomfortable to accept and rejects it instead, insisting that it is not true despite what may be overwhelming evidence.

Overview

The subject of denial is often an important part of study in psychology and psychoanalysis, as it can significantly affect a person's mental health and interpersonal relationships. Denial can be both conscious and unconscious and can serve to protect the ego from situations and emotions that it cannot cope with.

Types of Denial

There are several types of denial, including:

• Simple Denial: The person denies that something unpleasant or traumatic happened or is currently happening.
• Minimisation: The person admits the fact but denies its seriousness.
• Projection: The person admits both the fact and seriousness but denies responsibility.

Denial in Psychology

In psychology, denial is considered to be a defense mechanism that allows the mind to reject facts that are too difficult for the ego to process. It is often used to protect the individual from feelings of pain and discomfort.

Denial in Medicine

In the medical field, denial can have serious implications, particularly when a patient denies the existence of a serious illness or condition. This can lead to a delay in treatment and potentially worsen the patient's health outcome.

See Also

• Defense Mechanism
• Sigmund Freud
• Psychology
• Psychoanalysis

References

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Denial

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  The Denial of Saint Peter by Adam de Coster