{"id":40200,"date":"2019-05-31T06:00:22","date_gmt":"2019-05-31T13:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/?p=40200"},"modified":"2019-05-29T11:53:11","modified_gmt":"2019-05-29T18:53:11","slug":"addressing-denial-through-self-examination-mind-body-soul","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/addressing-denial-through-self-examination-mind-body-soul-0531197","title":{"rendered":"Addressing Denial Through Self-Examination: Mind, Body, Soul"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"ADenial<\/a>, sometimes referred to as an acronym for \u201cD<\/strong>on\u2019t E<\/strong>ven KN<\/strong>ow I A<\/strong>m L<\/strong>ying,\u201d is one of the most common defense mechanisms<\/a>. Denial is widely recognized in mental health fields, and it is relevant in experiences of witnessing, inflicting, and\/or surviving trauma. While denial can be quite effective in the short-term, it is often harmful in the long-term. Staying stuck in denial interferes with change.<\/p>\n

WHAT IS DENIAL?<\/h2>\n

Denial is the refusal to accept reality in order to protect yourself from a painful event, thought, or feeling. It is a defense mechanism that gives you time to adjust to distressing life situations.<\/p>\n

Denial can be present for anything that evokes vulnerability<\/a> or threatens your sense of control<\/a>. This could be illness, racism, addiction, anger issues, financial problems, or relationship conflicts. You can be in denial around something happening directly to you or something happening to another person. Denial can occur on an individual level and also on broader system levels, such as in family, social, or cultural contexts.<\/p>\n

Denial is universal\u2014 everyone perceives events through personal bias<\/a>. Yet the process of denial is complex, and it is (at least initially) mostly implicit and unconscious. However, you can recognize and challenge denial through an ongoing process of radical honesty<\/a> and self-examination. This process can give you insight or encourage movement if you are stuck.<\/p>\n

When undergoing self-examination, it often helps to use a holistic approach that includes mind, body, and soul.<\/p>\n

Examining the MIND<\/h2>\n

Exploring your inner dialogue (self-talk) and outer dialogue are useful strategies in the self-examination of denial. Try to see if you are using cognitive distortions<\/a> such as rationalizing, minimizing, and intellectualizing. These are used to alter the perception of reality, and they may suggest denial is ultimately at play.<\/p>\n

Using the example of a conflict in a toxic relationship, consider the following:<\/p>\n