Denial - Defense Mechanism

Denial is one of the common forms of defense mechanisms. The subject refuses to accept the reality because it is too painful to digest. This is a simple form of denial. There are various levels of denial. For example one may refuse to accept the loss of a loved one.

The second type is that the person may accept the factual part of the painful event but not the seriousness of the event. This is minimization.

The third type is the acceptance of the fact and the seriousness of the painful event but refusing to take responsibility. This is transference.

Denial as a defence mechanism is often compared to the behavior of the Ostrich which buries its head under the sand in times of danger and pretends as if the danger does not exist.

Denial is one of the Level 1 type defense mechanisms. This does not help the individual to face and handle the painful aspects of life in a practical way. In its milder forms one can deny one's emotions and feelings. For example, one may deny the fact that he/she is angry with someone who is being a constant source of irritation on daily basis.

Study of Denial as the defense mechanism helps a great deal in handling addiction. It is not only in the case of addiction it can also be seen with various life threatening diseases. For instance the patient who had a mild form of heart attack refuses to accept the medical condition leading to the delay of the required treatment.