Denial facts for kids

Denial is when someone refuses to accept that something true is happening or has happened. Even if they know deep down it's true, they might pretend it's not. This often happens because accepting the truth would be too painful or difficult. Denial is a term often used in psychology, which is the study of the mind and behavior.

Understanding Denial

Denial is a common way people react to difficult situations. It's like a shield that protects you from upsetting facts. For example, if you get a bad grade on a test, you might at first deny it, thinking there must be a mistake. This gives your mind a moment to prepare before facing the reality.

Denial and Coping with Loss

Denial is often the very first step when someone is trying to cope with a loss. A loss can be anything important that you no longer have. For example, if a pet or a family member dies, the person who is grieving might first feel denial. They might refuse to believe that the person or pet is truly gone. This feeling is a natural part of the grieving process. It helps people slowly come to terms with a sad event.

Denial in Everyday Life

Denial isn't just about big, sad events. It can happen in everyday situations too.

• Sports Example: Imagine you really want your favorite football team to win. Even if they are playing badly, you might deny they could lose. You might refuse to accept that they aren't playing well.
• Personal Example: Or, maybe you are sure you know who ate the last cookie. Even if someone else says they did it, you might deny it. You might stick to what you "think you know" instead of accepting the new information.

Why People Deny Things

People deny things for many reasons.

• To Avoid Pain: The most common reason is to avoid emotional pain or stress. Facing a harsh truth can be very upsetting.
• To Feel Safe: Sometimes, people deny problems to feel safer or more in control. If you deny a problem, you don't have to deal with it right away.
• To Protect Themselves: Denial can also protect a person's self-image. For example, if someone makes a mistake, they might deny it to avoid feeling bad about themselves.

Images for kids

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  A woodcut from 1860 showing the Denial of Peter. This is a story from the New Testament where Peter denies knowing Jesus.