When someone you care about is struggling with mental health issues but refuses to acknowledge the problem, it feels like you’re watching the Titanic slowly sink while the captain insists everything is fine. If you’re facing this challenging situation with a friend or family member, know that you’re not alone.
Diagnosis denial is common, but there are ways to navigate these troubled waters so your friend or family member can get the help they need. No matter what obstacles your loved one is facing, treatment can help them manage their symptoms and improve their overall well-being.
Why Diagnosis Denial Happens
For many people, accepting a mental health diagnosis can feel like admitting weakness or failure. This perception can stem from societal stigma and fear of the unknown, but sometimes it’s a symptom of the condition itself.
Mental illness can distort your friend or family member’s perception of reality—making it difficult for them to recognize their own symptoms. The medical term for this is anosognosia. It’s associated with several different mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and major depressive disorder, and comes from a Greek expression meaning “to not know a disease.”
If your friend or family member has anosognosia, they will deny the existence or severity of their condition even when faced with evidence that is clear to everyone around them. They may also invent inconsistent or illogical explanations for their symptoms or behavior. For example, if your loved one has schizophrenia, they might say that their insomnia just gives them more time in the day to be productive—or say that the voices and visions they’re having mean that they’ve been chosen for a “divine purpose” you don’t understand.
Ignoring the Problem Isn’t a Viable Long-Term Solution
Mental health conditions are chronic illnesses that won’t get better without treatment—and untreated conditions tend to escalate over time. What might start as manageable anxiety could develop into debilitating panic attacks. Mild depression that is left unchecked may deepen into a severe, life-threatening state.
When mental health issues go unaddressed, it’s important to understand that the consequences can ripple through every aspect of a person’s life. Their relationships suffer as symptoms worsen, their job performance declines, and their overall quality of life diminishes. In some cases, they may even find themselves in legal trouble due to their erratic behavior or failure to fully understand the consequences of their actions.
What You Can Do to Help
Watching someone you care about struggle is never easy, but the situation is far from hopeless. Here are some tips to help you express your concern and encourage your friend or family member to get the care they need:
- Approach the conversation with empathy. Confronting a loved one about their mental health requires a delicate touch. The goal is to open a dialogue, not to shame or blame. Start by choosing a calm, private moment to express your concerns. Use “I” statements to share your observations and feelings without sounding accusatory.
- Listen. Create a safe space for your loved one to express their fears, doubts, and frustrations. Validate their feelings, even if you disagree with their conclusions. By truly hearing them out, you may gain insights into the root of their denial and find more effective ways to address their concerns. Your role is to be a supportive ally, not a doctor or therapist.
- Educate without preaching. Many people resist mental health treatment because they don’t fully understand what it entails or have misconceptions about its effectiveness. Offer to research treatment options together.
- Lead by example. If you’ve had your own experiences with mental health treatment, consider sharing your story. Talking openly about how therapy or medication has helped you shows that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Even if you haven’t needed professional mental health support, you can model good self-care habits and stress management techniques.
- Offer practical support. By removing practical barriers, you can make it easier for your loved one to take that crucial first step. Volunteer to accompany them to their first appointment or assist with insurance paperwork.
- Know how to recognize a crisis. In some cases, especially when there’s a risk of self-harm or harm to others, professional intervention may be necessary. Familiarize yourself with the signs of a mental health crisis and reach out to crisis hotlines or emergency services if needed.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has a free PDF e-book, I Am Not Sick, that is a helpful resource for better understanding what causes diagnosis denial and how you can best support your loved one. NAMI also offers seminars and support groups for family and friends who need a safe place to share their experiences.
Treatment Options at Eagle View Behavioral Health
At Eagle View Behavioral Health, we understand that taking the first step toward treatment can feel daunting—but it’s also the beginning of a journey toward healing and personal growth.
Our experienced treatment team is here to provide your loved one with the support and expertise needed to navigate this difficult time. At our Bettendorf, Iowa, mental health treatment center, we offer acute care, daytime treatment, and outpatient treatment options tailored to individual needs. Contact us today to learn more.
