Denial
So you don't think that you are an alcoholic. Chances are that you are not, but this is the thought that many who are unknowingly addicted to alcohol or other mind-altering agents. This denial barrier is the first of many hurdles to overcome when they are identified as having an addiction disorder. Although all denial isn't bad most of the time, addicts are often the last to recognize their disease, pursuing their addictions into mental illness, the degeneration of health, and ultimately death. This paper will explain the concept of denial, its consequences, and the implications it has for nursing care.Review of Literature and Knowledge Base What is denial? Dr. Hilary Knatz, the author of Getting On, states that "Denial, is a way of coping with unpleasant realities" (Knatz, 1999). She then goes on to explain that: Denial, in the psychological/psychiatric vernacular, is a defensive strategy to minimize anxiety. It is defined and conceptualized in a number of ways, which differ according to theory. In classical Freudian terms, denial is a defense mechanism invoked by a person when there is a danger that he or she will become aware of or act on unconscious primitive impulses that are unacceptable. We defend agains
There are several defining characteristics that identify the possibility that a patient may be in denial. Some examples include pretending something does not exist when in reality it does. Being willing to admit there is a problem, but unwilling to see the severity of it. Seeing the problem as being caused by something or someone else. The behavior is not denied, but its cause is someone else's responsibility. Offering excuses, alibis, justifications, and other explanations for behavior. Dealing with the problem on a general level; avoiding personal and emotional awareness of the situations or conditions. Changing the subject to avoid threatening topics. Becoming angry and irritable when reference is made to the condition. These defining characteristics help to avoid the issue at hand (Whitfield, 1994). Step One of Alcoholics Anonymous deals with working through our denial, allowing us to accept our powerlessness over addictions and the chaos and unmanageability they bring into our lives. This is just one of the curious and beautiful things about recovery. The acknowledging of the powerlessness the addict is empowered to lead a healthy life (USDHHS, 1994). The concept of identifying denial can be used in the author's nursing practice in such a way that it helps to identify a nursing implementation. This implementation will be necessary to be collaborative with other specialties, such as with a psychiatric specialist, along with including the family. This collaborative effort will help insure that the patient will receive proper help along with a supportive environment. Simpson, J. A. & Weiner, E. S. C. (1989). Denial. In The Oxford English Dictionary (Vol. 4, p. 456). Taunton, MS: Clarendon Press. The Oxford English Dictionary defines denial to be "the asserting (of anything) to be untrue or invalid; also, the denying of the existence or reality of a thing" (Simpson & Weiner, 1989). The implications for nursing care are centered on the identification of a patient's denial and to take steps to help the patient identify that they have a problem. It is especially important to help the patient identify that there is a possibility that they ma
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1460
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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