Is denial ever a helpful coping mechanism with anxiety?

When anxiety creeps into our lives we can often push it aside, trying to avoid it, denying its presence in our lives and our bodies. But is denial ever a helpful coping mechanism?

Understanding Denial as a Defense Mechanism

Denial is a natural psychological response to overwhelming emotions or situations. It can serve as a temporary shield, giving us time to process or adapt to what is or has happened. For example, if you're experiencing anxiety about a deadline, denial (of its importance for example) may temporarily allow you to focus on manageable tasks to meet the deadline, rather than spiraling into overwhelm.

However, denial's use is often short-lived and misplaced. When prolonged, it exacerbates anxiety, trapping you in avoidance cycles of behaviour and delaying the healing or resolution you need. For example, if we break up with someone and we learn that they have moved on to a new partner, we may deny the feelings present in us from this situation, this could feed into an anxiety around our own future relationships or even bumping into our ex-partner!

When Denial Might Be 'Helpful'

Denial can however, act as a stepping stone—not a solution. It can provide a buffer for moments when you're too emotionally raw to deal with the root cause of your anxiety. For example:

• During a crisis, denial might help you focus on practical steps instead of collapsing under the weight of panic.

• It might provide the mental space to stabilize yourself before addressing deeper fears or triggers.

  
  

But even in these situations, denial must be treated as a short-term temporary option, being consciously employed, and paired with self-awareness and an understanding of the importance to address what is being denied.

The Danger of Prolonged Denial

When denial becomes a long-term coping mechanism, it suppresses the feelings that need to be explored. Suppressed anxiety manifests in the body as tension, sleep issues, and other physical symptoms. It can also amplify avoidance behaviors—like overworking, addictions, relying on stimulants, or numbing with distractions.

As a hypnotherapist, hypnotherapy gently allows these hidden feelings to surface in a safe, guided way, helping you to process and release them without the overwhelm you fear.

From Denial to Awareness

The key to navigating denial is recognising when it has served its purpose and taking a decision to turn towards awareness and processing. 

Here are a few reflective questions that can help, that I recommend you do with free writing:

• What is my anxiety trying to tell me?

• What could I be avoiding in this moment, and why?

• If I turned towards this feeling or situation calmly, what might change, or what could I gain from it?

  
  

Through hypnotherapy, I guide clients to explore these types of questions at a subconscious level, where deeply buried answers and wisdom lies in our system. This process unlocks clarity and empowerment, turning anxiety from an enemy into a guide.

The Takeaway

Denial can offer a brief respite from anxiety, but it’s not a sustainable coping strategy long-term. By embracing your feelings instead of avoiding them, you open the door to genuine healing. Remember, your anxiety isn’t here to punish you—it’s here to teach you. Hypnotherapy can help you listen, learn, and move forward with clarity and ease.

Ready to tackle your anxiety today? You have three options.

Download my free lead magnet here.

Drop me an email at hello@laurenwigmore.co.uk to schedule a session.

Or sign up to my 6 week rapid reset hypnotherapy (launching late December)