When denial can be harmful

But what if you had continued to be in denial about the lump? What if you never sought help? If denial persists and prevents you from taking appropriate action, such as consulting your doctor, it's a harmful response.

Consider these examples of unhealthy denial:

• A college student witnesses a violent shooting but claims not to be affected by it.
• The partner of an older man in the end stage of life refuses to discuss health care directives and wills with him, insisting that he's getting better.
• Someone periodically misses morning work meetings after drinking excessively the night before, but insists there's no problem because the work is still getting done.
• A couple are ringing up so much credit card debt that they toss the bills aside because they can't bear to open them.
• The parents of a teen with drug addiction keep giving their child "clothing" money.
• A person with chest pain and shortness of breath doesn't believe those symptoms signal a heart attack and delays getting help.

In situations such as these, denial might prevent you or your loved one from getting help, such as medical treatment or counseling, or dealing with problems that can spiral out of control — all with potentially devastating long-term consequences.