Stages of Depression Denial

Feelings of hopelessness, a lack of desire to do tasks once considered enjoyable, and thoughts of suicide are all common signs of depression. Many people have these symptoms, yet refuse to seek treatment or even admit they are depressed. These people are in the denial stage of depression, which is very difficult to overcome.

Denial of Depression

• Denial of depression is common because depression is an emotional issue, and people balk at admitting they need help for emotional issues. Instead, they try to deal with the problems on their own, usually without success. While depression often has a physical biochemical cause, it causes severe emotional symptoms. Denial of depression, whether it is conscious or unconscious, is serious because depressed people cannot get help until they admit there is a problem and reach out for it.

Common Reasons for Denial

• Denial is a coping mechanism in the stages of depression, just as it is in the stages of grief. The individual clings to his denial in order to continue functioning, even if the level of functioning is not where it should be. Sometimes people deny they have depression because there seems to be a logical "reason" for their depression, such as an outward circumstance or trauma. Finally, many people deny they have depression because they are so emotionally mixed up they cannot think objectively.

External Reasons for Denial

• Outside influences can also cause someone to deny she has depression. A man may have been taught that emotions are a sign of weakness. This will cause him to deny the fact that he is dealing with an emotional issue. Someone else may have been taught that seeking medical help for depression is wrong, and that it instead is something you have to learn to fix on your own. Others may feel uncomfortable talking about emotions to a doctor or therapists, and instead choose to ignore their problems.

Helping Someone Admit Their Depression

• If you know someone who is in the denial stage of depression, you should carefully try to help them see and admit their problems so they can seek help. Consider taking the person through a symptom list so that he can see clearly that he does have symptoms of depression. Offer to go with your friend to the doctor if needed to help her discuss her symptoms with the doctor. Keep in mind, though, that you cannot force someone with depression to seek treatment. He must first admit that he has a problem. Trying to force her to stop denying the problem will only cause her to retreat further or lash out at you.

If You Are in Denial

• If you are the one in denial over your depression, remember that it is an emotional issue that often has a medical cause. It is not your fault, and you can feel better, but you need to admit that you need help. First, however, you must admit that you are using denial as an escape route, and that it is not working. This is the first step toward finding help and digging out of the deep hole of depression you are in.