Many of us in our life come upon a time when we are confronted with dealing with grief. The grief process can be overwhelming, and emotional grief can have a strong physical effect as well.
Over the next few blogs we will look at the five stages of grief. Today we will look at Denial.
Over the next few blogs we will look at the five stages of grief. Today we will look at Denial.
WHAT IS DENIAL?
- A way to avoid conflict, disagreements, or disapproval from others.
- A defensive response; protection from pain, hurt, or suffering.
- Being unwilling to face problems on either a conscious or subconscious level.
- A way of retaining our sanity when experiencing unbearable pain.
HOW DOES DENIAL LOOK IN OTHERS?
- Appear to be irrational to those who know the problems and losses they have suffered.
- Appear to be calm and relaxed to those who do not know the problems and losses they have suffered.
- Appear to be avoiding or rejecting those who are intent on confronting them with their problems.
WHAT ARE THE NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES OF UNRESOLVED DENIAL?
- Greater conflict between the deniers and the non-deniers.
- The denier totally avoiding or withdrawing from everyone who knows of the loss or problem.
- The denier becoming a social recluse.
HOW CAN WE DEAL WITH DENIAL OURSELVES?
- Asking ourselves honestly why we are in denial.
- Allowing ourselves to admit to being out of control.
- Trusting others to help us with our problem.
- Admitting our vulnerability and our need for assistance.
HOW CAN WE COPE WITH DENIAL IN OTHERS?
- Have a great deal of patience in order to allow them the time it takes to finally confront their loss or problems.
- Be accepting of the denial as a psychological defense that is a vehicle for them to retain their sanity.
- Be ready with a rational perspective to help them refute their current irrational beliefs.
