In Denial

In psychology, when psychologists diagnose patients, they always assess the patient in terms of stages, levels or grades. Manic depression level 1. Bipolar disorder stage 2. and so on.

They've this thing called the 5 stages of grief. Basically everyone who is deeply sadden or traumatized by something very sad, psychologists assess their performance to recovery based on this 5 stages.

Stage 1. Denial
Stage 2. Anger
Stage 3. Bargaining
Stage 4. Grief and finally
Stage 5. Acceptance.

There can be variations in the stages where people jumble up a few stages but basically they all go through this 5 emotions.

I actually read this online when i was going through a very difficult time in my life, when i was deeply sadden by something that was suddenly lost or gone. its quite interesting because its kinda true and if you really think about it, its quite accurate.

Denial and bargaining i feel is the hardest stage, cos by the time it gets to anger, you're so mad this person is gone that you cant really think, you start to feel hatred and well that kind of is better then being sad. Bargaining is kinda like denial in the sense you try to make deals, say if this person comes back i will do this etc. Denial however is the mother of all.

We all sometimes like to pretend that nothing is happening. Pretend that all's well. Pretend that we are fine and that we dont need any help. We're all pretty much mastered the skills of being pretentious. and following close by is presumptuous. Being in denial i feel is the worse feeling in the world, plainly because when you're in denial, you arent even aware of it. unless something hits you right in the face and you have no choice but to face up to it. sometimes, all it takes is a little realization. a little instinct.

Sometimes, we know exactly what the right thing to do is.

But we argue with ourselves. We rationalize. We want to find an excuse.

But in the end, we know what we have to do.

Because after all, it is the right thing to do.

Believe me, facing up to it, realizing whats in denial in your life, not making any excuses or assumptions, just doing what you have to do. it doesnt matter how it will turn out, whether its good or bad. at least you made that first step into realization.

Denial is like an ocean. How will you keep yourself from drowning?