When a person refuses to accept reality, what defense mechanism are they employing?

When a person refuses to accept reality, they are employing the defense mechanism known as denial. Denial occurs when an individual blocks out or refuses to acknowledge distressing thoughts, feelings, or events. This mechanism acts as a psychological shield, allowing the individual to avoid facing uncomfortable realities that they find overwhelming or unacceptable.

In practice, denial might manifest as a person continuing to behave as though a challenging situation, like an addiction or serious illness, does not exist, thus preventing them from taking necessary actions or seeking help. This behavior serves to protect the self from psychological pain but ultimately hinders emotional growth and resolution of the issues at hand.

Understanding denial helps in recognizing its impact on behavior and relationships, providing insight into why certain individuals may struggle to deal with factual situations or maintain a sense of normalcy despite clear evidence to the contrary.