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Denial is not just for Egyptians
Caregivers: Dementia | Last Active: Dec 14, 2025 | Replies (21)Comment receiving replies
Here’s the term I couldn’t remember in my previous comment - Anosognosia.
And from the Cleveland Clinic:
“Anosognosia is a condition where your brain can’t recognize one or more other health conditions you have. It’s extremely common with mental health conditions like schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease. This condition isn’t dangerous on its own, but people with it are much more likely to avoid or resist treatment for their other health conditions.”
Replies to "Here’s the term I couldn’t remember in my previous comment - Anosognosia. And from the Cleveland..."
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@agh I agree with the anosognosia being common in alzheimers. My husband, a retired physician who has been managing his own diabetes for over 20 years, now, doesn't understand why I had to poke him with needles to deliver the insulin that he needs. ( He has an insulin pump now, thank God) "well, it's just ridiculous" he says. He can no longer grasp his diagnosis of diabetes and its care requirements.
So if someone seems to be in "denial" I think we should bear in mind what the person is still capable of understanding and what they cannot. Things that are logical to us make no sense to them. I think our effort would be better spent finding out where they are in their dementia journey. What skills, abilities do they still have? Engage them where they are at. Also learn as much as you can about the various stages in Dementia so you can determine what is still there and what is not. If it's not there then you can stop trying to go there and cut down on the frustration of not getting them to do something they can't. Bless you all.