DENIAL   [ back to Glossary Index ]
Denial is the refusal or inability to acknowledge that one is impaired, disabled or handicapped as the result of a brain injury. A person can suffer from organic denial, psychological denial or both of them at varying times. Organic denial results directly from injury to the part of the brain which "objectively" monitors and assesses every aspect of how well the organism is functioning (be it perception, mood, memory or movement). A stroke patient with Anton's Syndrome will deny he is blind. A stroke patient with right parietal damage will deny his left arm is paralyzed and will insist he is using it to shake your hand. A person with a recent TBI may have lost the capacity to solve complex math problems but will deny this when asked by his doctors, family, employer or attorney. Psychological denial represents unconscious repression of subjective awareness to protect the individual from a painful recognition of having changed. A TBI patient may steadfastly deny being depressed or anxious, despite exhibiting classic behaviors of those mood disorders (e.g. apathetic/lethargic or fearful/worried/obsessional). Organic denial can be overcome biologically through gradual healing of brain circuits. Psychological denial can be overcome through one-on-one counseling and peer group therapy facilitated by a professional. Family members who do not understand the phenomenon of denial following a TBI are apt to become extremely frustrated with a TBI patient because he is doing and saying the exact opposite things (like saying "I'm fine. I can handle myself" and then burning pots on the stove, leaving the front door unlocked and leaving the house with shoes and socks that don't match). Arguing does no good. It is best to contact a neuropsychologist.