A resident refuses to believe her diagnosis of a terminal illness. This is an example of which defense mechanism?

A resident refuses to believe her diagnosis of a terminal illness. This is an example of which defense mechanism?

• A. Regression
• B. Suppression
• C. Rationalization
• D. Denial

Answer: (D)

Denial is a defense mechanism where a person refuses to believe or accept a painful reality. In this situation, the resident acts as if the terminal illness diagnosis isn’t true, which is a classic denial response. This coping style helps shield her from the initial emotional impact and allows time to process the news, often occurring automatically and temporarily. This differs from suppression, which is a conscious choice to push thoughts aside; rationalization, which would involve offering logical excuses to justify the situation; and regression, which would show as returning to earlier, less mature behaviors. Because the reaction is a refusal to acknowledge the reality of the illness, it fits denial. In practice, respond with empathy, provide information gradually, and support the resident as they work toward accepting care decisions.

Denial is a defense mechanism where a person refuses to believe or accept a painful reality. In this situation, the resident acts as if the terminal illness diagnosis isn’t true, which is a classic denial response. This coping style helps shield her from the initial emotional impact and allows time to process the news, often occurring automatically and temporarily.

This differs from suppression, which is a conscious choice to push thoughts aside; rationalization, which would involve offering logical excuses to justify the situation; and regression, which would show as returning to earlier, less mature behaviors. Because the reaction is a refusal to acknowledge the reality of the illness, it fits denial.

In practice, respond with empathy, provide information gradually, and support the resident as they work toward accepting care decisions.