We protect ourselves from many things. Even truths, when they're too painful for us to accept. While in the short term denial can be beneficial and, for example, give us time to organize ourselves after a traumatic event, it can also have a darker side and become unhealthy.

Suppressed feelings can slowly take over and push us towards withdrawal, bullying, self-harm, or substance abuse.

Reddit user Inferno2808 recently made a post on the platform, asking others to share "the clearest cases of 'living in denial'" they've seen, and the replies they've received serve as a poignant reminder that if left unchecked, destructive thoughts and behavior can really take a toll on us.

This post may include affiliate links.

#1

A couple dancing, illustrating "living in denial" with close-up of their clasped hands. My brother is married for the fourth time, my mother blames all his ex-wives. I keep pointing out her son is the common link to all the divorces.

abby_normally Report

Final score:
0points
POST
RELATED:
    #2

    Person meditating in a sunny, serene room with plants, capturing a peaceful moment amidst living in denial. Me, thinking I'll get in better shape and lose some weight while doing literally nothing to make it happen 🙃

    gkfreefly Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #3

    Person holding a smartphone showing the Tinder app, illustrating modern dating and living in denial scenarios. Buddy keeps complaining that 'normal' guys won't respond to him on dating apps and keeps getting hit on by 'creepy old dudes.' Uh, you're nearly 60, and those are age-appropriate matches. 🫤

    broccoli_octopus Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #4

    Child writing in a notebook with a pencil, illustrating a concept of living in denial through incorrect math calculations. I am a teacher- I have so many parents in denial about their children’s grades or behavior. I once had a kid headbutt me and break my nose bc he couldn’t go to recess right then and there, “but he’s an angel at home!” (Where he’s only ever playing on a tablet) I also have one parent in particular who has 4 children, and ALL of them have behavior problems, to the point of multiple suspensions or being made to move schools or teachers. and I have to wonder: after 4 children with issues…is it not possible YOU might be part of the problem??

    Random-bookworm Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #5

    Person in plaid shirt with sunglasses, embodying the denial theme with casual style. My sister wears flannel shirts and has really short hair and drives a Subaru and wears a battleaxe necklace and has a pile of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Editions and a lesbian pride flag in her room and my mom still hasn't figured out she's gay

    TheThalmorEmbassy Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #6

    Person holding an ultrasound image outdoors, related to "living in denial" stories. My step-dad's coworker got three different vasectomies. His wife kept getting pregnant each time, and he insisted the doctor had somehow botched the procedure. After the third vasectomy, she turned up pregnant again, and the doctor told him, "There's nothing left of your vas deferens. Have you considered she may be cheating on you?"

    tir67dtfu Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #7

    Four beers on a wooden table, illustrating a casual setting possibly linked to "living in denial" experiences. So my sister gets married, he husbands family are pretty heavy drinkers, and it's the full range of drinks; beers whenever, mixed drinks, straight hard liquor like vodka, whatever is on hand, and plenty of it; seven days a week, and all day on weekends, holidays, etc. So her husband's brother, late 20's, hits it a lot harder than even the other people in his family; a full handle of vodka after work every day kind of hard. Four or five over a weekend, all by himself. So he gets sick, not felling well, tired, etc. but just puts it down to getting older and maybe not handling his liquor like he used to, but doesn't cut back at all. Once he starts turning yellow, he gets to the doctor, who tells him his liver is shot; full cirrhosis, there's nothing left of it, whatever. He tells the doc he doesn't know why, he doesn't drink any more than the people he knows, it's a mystery, but he'll stop entirely to get put on a list for a new liver. He obviously doesn't stop drinking, doesn't even cut back. Everyone knows it's the drinking and cirrhosis, but he and his family start calling it "cancer"- it's cancer, so the drinking has nothing to do with it. So he eventually ends up in the hospital full time because there's no liver for him yet, and his family starts sneaking vodka into the hospital so he can keep drinking. He left the hospital on a slab, and the family starts asking people for money for cancer walks, stuff like that, and not a one of them cut back the drinking at all.

    gallaj0 Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #8

    Two people walking on a grassy hill under a clear sky, depicting solitude and reflection on living in denial. My loving, yet abusive and alcoholic father telling me that he has no problems to fix and that whatever trauma I think happened in my childhood is a product of my “sick and twisted mind” because he was “nothing but good to me”.

    sea-bagel Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #9

    Person standing in an alley with head down, symbolizing "living in denial" concept, wearing a dark jacket. That'd be my "father". My "mother" was manic-depressive, as it was called back then. She had several major breakdowns during my childhood. Every time, he'd act like nothing was wrong. She'd be screaming & throwing things, and he'd just try to placate her. It never worked. A couple times, I pointed out that she needed to be committed. He always responded that a person couldn't be committed unless they're a danger to themselves or others. True, but she obviously was. I was terrified of her. Even apart from the breakdowns, she threw rage attacks at the drop of a hat. Long story short, in my 20s I found out that A) they'd had two kids before me, and B) she'd drowned them in a bathtub during a psychotic episode. What I never found out was how she gor released or why she was able to conceive me less than a year later. A friend was with me when I found out about B). He told me later that he'd always thought I was exaggerating when I said I'd feared for my life as a kid. I couldn't blame him, it does sound outlandish. After that, it was even more baffling that my father thought we were safe living with her.

    2PlasticLobsters Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #10

    Elderly man sitting alone on a park bench, trees and people in the background, symbolizing living in denial. My Dad has PSP/dementia. My Mom refused to acknowledge that it was a developing problem, because it was an “inconvenience to their lifestyle”. I confronted her, because he needed to have his drivers license taken away, because he was a danger on the road. My Dad impulsively went out one day, bought a BMW without her present, and later drove it underneath a semi truck. And shocker- that was when she realized he was unwell. I also had to find out through extended family about his accident, because she didn’t want give us “the satisfaction” of being right all along.

    FlannerysPeacock Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #11

    Person holding a rainbow flag against a clear blue sky, symbolizing pride and representation. My mom - "There are no gay people in India" Her wondering why one of her friend's son is not interested in meeting any girls and me explaining that he's gay.

    Ron0hh Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #12

    Aerial view of Madrid cityscape at sunset, vibrant urban landscape in golden light. Hilaria Baldwin’s commitment to her fake Spanish accent, even after she was outed as having been born and raised in Boston with zero Spanish heritage.

    WrestleswithPastry Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #13

    Casino table with chips stacked, people in background possibly "living in denial" about gambling odds. Ex’s mom: moved to Vegas from Europe. Went broke gambling over 10 or so years, practically homeless… then she got injured on a casino escalator and was compensated more than fairly with a life changing amount of money… guess who went broke again, pretty much exclusively at the same casino…?

    AIShalmanezer Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #14

    Pens and insulin syringes on a wooden surface, illustrating "living in denial" scenarios. Friend diagnosed with diabetes 10 years ago, has needle phobia so afraid of pricking his fingers to monitor his blood sugar so doesn't, and just "eats healthy". Due to blood sugar fluctuations, gradually goes blind and kidney fails, 3.5 years on dialysis, then finally gets a kidney transplant. Home again with new kidney, is still afraid of pricking his fingers and decides he will manage his diabetes by "eating healthy" just like he did for the past 10 years :_-(

    Burner_Account_2002 Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #15

    No smoking sign on a brick wall, illustrating living in denial instances. My mom has been a smoker for 40 years. She was diagnosed with COPD. Goods news is she can spend $400 a month on an inhaler that makes her feel better. No need to give up smoking, clearly.

    kayladon20 Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #16

    A young girl with braids stands in a sunny wheat field, symbolizing innocence and living in denial. Got a friend.  He's in his fifties, makes next to minimum wage.  Drinks and eats too much. He and his gf (late sixties) live with a mutual friend. They're "discussing" adopting a child. 

    SnooMemesjellies7469 Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #17

    Doctor checking blood pressure, highlighting living in denial concept. My family when my mom was diagnosed with a hereditary, incurable, no survival rate over 4 years cancer. We all thought she’d be the one to beat it, she was gone within a year at 55yo. No amount of good diet, exercise, education can beat bad genes and life’s unfairness. The facts were there, it was still like a freight train hit us.

    nowitnessforthis Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #18

    A person with a cane walking on a street, wearing beige pants and a plaid shirt, representing living in denial. My elderly friend who has fallen 4 times already breaking 2 ribs once, a wrist once, and bruised up the other times. He still refuses to use a cane out of some male pride thing. He can’t understand that we all age, and if he keeps falling he will end up with a broken hip and bedridden and miserable.

    SeaworthinessOne5840 Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #19

    Sunny day view of a suburban red-brick house with a well-kept garden, illustrating "living in denial" through home appearance. My older sister (39), having 4 kids, living in my parents house without paying rent since she got pregnant the first time with 17, her oldest was practically raised by my parents. Recieving much financial and emotional support through the years by our parents. She is saying she never recieves any help by our parents, that she doesn't feel welcome at home anymore and that our younger sister and I are favored.

    Same-Literature-2617 Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #20

    Surgeons in an operating room, wearing scrubs and masks, with medical tools on a table, concept of living in denial. My dismissive avoidant mom was a master of denial. The worst was when she got an abscess in her pelvic area. She was in 10/10 pain, couldn't sit up, was literally white knuckling a body pillow while laying on the couch unable to move for A WEEK and when I (age 10) would suggest she go to a doctor it was all "Oh no no I'm totally fine! I don't need to see a doctor." This woman literally scheduled an appointment with a specialist and WAITED THE 10ish DAYS for the appointment instead of going to urgent care. She drove herself there in 10/10 pain. The doctor took one look at her and told her to put on a gown and meet her downstairs for immediate surgery. They drained so much yuck from her and she had to have the gauze packing to heal the crater left behind etc. It's a miracle she didn't get sepsis. Bonus story: she suddenly became allergic to ibuprofen in her 40s and turned beet red after taking some. Instead of going to the doctor she went to her hair appointment like normal. Hairdresser refused to cut her hair and made her to go the doctor. My mom just went home instead and laid on the couch huffing and puffing until the reaction went away. She told me this story like it was a totally sane and normal thing to do.

    rahyveshachr Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #21

    Person removing a ring, symbolizing "living in denial," wearing a beige blouse and black skirt. My mother and father divorced 26 years ago. It was a toxic marriage and probably for the best that they part ways. Since then she has been remarried and is happy with her new husband. We all get along and my parents get along for the sake of visits and being around grandkids. To this day my father wants to get back together with my mother. I don’t blame him there if he still loves her but the denial part is he thinks he did nothing wrong in the marriage. He is under the impression that he was the perfect husband and he is doing her a “favor” by taking her back if she did come back. The reality is he did not treat her well, she left and is now with someone who makes her happy.

    ZenoSalts Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #22

    An IV drip stand against a light blue background, symbolizing living in denial. Nurse who thought the lump in her breast was nothing important and the open sore appearing was also nothing important and once it started draining thought it was nothing important despite dressing it daily. Was confronted by coworkers after the smell became so rank it lingered where she went. Stage IV cancer with mets to bones and brain. Died soon after. She was the manager of the oncology unit. *Editing to add - because I must not have been clear and a lot of people see this as an autonomous choice:* *This was a case of ‘living in denial’. Once confronted about her odor she admitted to the sore but still thought it was nothing. Agreed to go to the ED with colleague/friend but only to reassure them. Oncologist consulted in the ED and she lost it when cancer mentioned. Insisted on everything done to treat despite no hope. Died within the month. Never left hospital from time confronted about odor.*

    Pistalrose Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #23

    Laboratory test tubes with colorful caps, arranged in rows, symbolizing living in denial through scientific exploration. I know a guy who tested positive for HIV about 11 years ago. He pretended it didn't happen and did nothing about it. Today he is dying of AIDS. He's not even 40. So sad.

    WeasersMom14 Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #24

    A display of stylish eyeglasses on a shelf, featuring various frames for sale, suggesting a choice in eyewear fashion. My mother (now deceased) refused to wear glasses because she hated how they looked on her. Instead, she insisted her eyesight was "not that bad" and the fact we had to read menus to her at restaurants was just a cute quirk.

    starglitter Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #25

    Two syringes on a wooden table, symbolizing living in denial. Close friend with an opiate addiction and her husband who thought she needed morphine infusions for a variety of magically appearing painful ailments.

    Maison1984 Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #26

    Two people exchanging cash at a table, illustrating living in denial through financial dealings. Had a friend who never held a job, their parents paid for their cars, for 6 years of college plus an apartment in a very expensive city for 3 of those years They also built a artist studio for them. They were convinced that their family wasn't wealthy.

    NaiNaiGuy Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #27

    Pregnant person in a white top with hands on belly, illustrating a case of living in denial. Had a friend planning weekends away and activities when they were 9 months pregnant and about to drop. Think they were just scared and trying not to think about it

    Lelmay Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #28

    Messy kitchen counter with dishes and clutter, illustrating "living in denial" of household cleanliness. probably my bf’s mother. they live in squalor, have totally ruined their house by neglecting all responsibilities for 20+ years, won’t allow anyone into it because it’s so dirty. the property is full of junked cars, poison ivy and stray trash she brags about their great house, how much money they have (so then pay your personal property taxes which are overdue 5 years?) which won’t happen because they eat out for every meal since the kitchen is out of order. she’s an alcoholic and completely dependent on weed

    ewing666 Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST

    Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing!

    Follow Bored Panda on Google News!