DENIAL

In counseling individuals with addictions, the concept and reality of denial must always be taken into consideration. As most experienced therapists would agree denial is by no means a universally negative phenomenon. There are times when it is wholly appropriate and indeed necessary for an individual to be in a state of denial. Extreme trauma or loss are examples of this. At these times denial allows for psychological and emotional re-orientations to take place that will allow the individual to directly face his new and radically different life circumstances.

It is also true that prolonged denial can be costly in terms of growth and mental health. These concepts apply equally to the growth and mental health of a country. To presuppose that a country can have "mental health" is to assume that a country in fact has a mind. As odd as this might sound it is a useful concept. There are numerous examples of countries and cultures that can be said to have "lost their minds" at various points in their histories. Countries forget their histories. Countries hope and dream. And countries sometimes deny reality because that reality is too terrible to look at.

The United States of America is a country in denial about many things these days. It isn't really important to go into the specifics. What is more important is to recognize that this level of denial is no longer helpful. We are at the point in this country where denial causes death and destruction. It is also important to note that denial of obvious realities is running rampant in our highest elected officials and in the corporate and government controlled media.

As the disconnect between the actual reality and the reported reality becomes greater, cracks begin to form in the facade that has been presented and truth emerges here and there. Such openings will only embolden those seeking to control consensus reality to redouble their efforts. This will result in an increasingly surreal situation. Many will maintain or increase their level of denial in order to stave off anxiety and panic. Believing that if they only trust in what they are being told - all will be well. That doesn't work with individuals and it doesn't work on a societal level either.

It is always difficult to let go - of a loved one, a tradition, youth, a belief. But letting go is sometimes the only way to survive and grow even though it feels like a death. It may be that the most important thing to let go of now for this country is denial. Its the denial that wants to say "Everything is basically ok." Because the reality is, it isn't.