Denial in Psychology: When We Unconsciously Reject Reality

Introduction

Have you ever heard someone say, “I’m fine,” when it’s clear from the look on their face that they’re carrying a heavy burden? Or maybe you yourself have felt something was wrong, but chose to ignore it? This is what psychology calls denial.

Denial is a form of denial of reality, either consciously or unconsciously. In many cases, denial of feelings is a form of self-defense mechanism used to avoid emotional pain, failure, or trauma.

As an undergraduate or prospective Psychology student, understanding the meaning of denial in psychology is very important because this phenomenon often appears in everyday life and in clinical psychology practice. This article will discuss in depth what denial is, how it affects us, and how we can deal with it more consciously.

Denial is a Common Psychological Mechanism

In the world of psychology, denial means a form of denial of painful reality. It falls under the ego defense mechanism according to Sigmund Freud‘s classical psychoanalysis theory.

Characteristics of Denial:

• Rejecting obvious facts or evidence
• Avoiding talking about certain issues
• Diverting attention to other things when under stress
• Trying to convince yourself that “everything is fine”

Denial comes in many forms, from mild things like not accepting that we are stressed, to more severe forms like denying the reality of a serious illness.

Types of Denial:

• Emotional denial: Denial of certain feelings or emotions, such as sadness or anger.
• Situational denial: Denial of real situations such as the loss of a job or the death of a loved one.
• Interpersonal denial: Denying the impact of one’s own behavior on others.

What is Denial? Getting to know denial from a psychological perspective

What is denial? In psychology, denial is a cognitive or emotional process in which a person refuses to acknowledge reality because it is too painful or threatening to their psychological balance.

Denial as a Psychological Process

Denial is often unconscious. It arises automatically as the brain’s way of protecting itself from too much pressure. For example:

• Someone who has recently lost a partner may say, “He’s still there, I can feel him.”
• A patient with a serious illness such as cancer might say, “It’s just a common cold.”

Denial in the Context of Clinical Psychology

In the clinical world, denial can hinder the healing process. The psychologist or therapist needs to help the client to acknowledge reality gradually and with empathy.

💡 Denial Syndrome is a form of self-defense against the anxiety of a threatening reality. In the short term, Denial Syndrome will help individuals think logically and make peace with their own fears, but in the long term it will harm and cause problems to themselves or their surroundings.

The Meaning of Denial and Its Impact on Mental Health

Understanding the meaning of denial in psychology is incomplete without looking at its impact. While it may seem “saving” at times, in the long run denial can be detrimental to mental health and social relationships.

Short-term Impact:

• Temporarily reduces anxiety
• Gives time to adjust
• Reduces emotional outbursts

Long-term Impact:

• Causes chronic stress
• Inhibits personal growth
• Leads to conflict in relationships
• Keeps individuals trapped in unhealthy (toxic) situations

The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology teaches students to understand these processes scientifically, including how to help others out of unhealthy defense mechanisms.

Self-Reflection: How to deal with denial more consciously

Denial is human, but if left unchecked, it can become a major obstacle to personal growth. Therefore, it is important to do some self-reflection.

How to deal with denial:

• Be aware of the emotions felt
• Dare to face reality, even if it hurts
• Confide in a trusted person
• Writing a journal of feelings
• Consultation with a psychology professional

As a Psychology undergraduate student, you will be equipped with the skills to do self-reflection, recognize emotions, and develop empathy. This is the advantage that makes S1 Psychology graduates have more value than other study programs.

🔎 Interested in being part of a generation that cares about mental health?
Join now at Telkom University’s S1 Psychology Study Program .

📍 Campus Address:
Faculty of Communication and Social Sciences, Telkom University
Jl. Telekomunikasi No. 1, Bandung

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Website: http://bpsy.telkomuniversity.ac.id

✨ Know yourself, understand others. Realize your future with S1 Psychology Telkom University!
🎓 Register now and become an agent of change in the world of mental health.

FAQ

Q: Is denial always bad?
A: Not always. Denial can be a way of coping in a crisis situation. However, if it lasts too long, it can hinder emotional healing and personal growth.

Q: How do I know if I am in denial?
A: Signs include avoiding certain topics, feeling ’empty’, or constantly blaming others for personal problems.

Q: Do undergraduate psychology students learn about defense mechanisms like denial?
A: Description. Students will learn classical and contemporary psychological theories, including ego defense mechanisms such as denial, repression, regression, and others.

Q: What are the advantages of Telkom University’s S1 Psychology Study Program compared to other campuses?
A: Telkom University emphasizes the balance between theory and practice, the development of soft skills, and the use of technology in psychology learning.

🌱It’s time to understand reality and make peace with yourself. Start that journey at S1 Psychology Telkom University.
👉 Register now at http://bpsy.telkomuniversity.ac.id and be part of a mentally healthier change!

Denial is a normal part of human life. However, understanding what denial means in psychology allows us not to get caught up in it. The Bachelor of Psychology program offers deep insight into various psychological mechanisms, including denial, as well as how to deal with them in a healthy and empathetic manner.

Through a comprehensive psychology education, you not only learn to know others-but also to understand yourself.

Reference:

Hasanah, I., Fitriyah, I., Dewanti, S. R., & Wahyuningrum, S. R. (2021). Denial Syndrome Di Masa Pandemi Covid-19 Pada Masyarakat Kabupaten Pamekasan Madura. Edu Consilium: Jurnal Bimbingan Dan Konseling Pendidikan Islam, 2(2).

Tags : S1 Psikologi  | Psychology

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