When Avoidance Becomes Protection—and a Prison Denial is a psychological defense mechanism in which a person avoids confronting a painful reality by refusing to acknowledge its existence. While denial can temporarily protect us from overwhelming emotions, it often keeps us stuck, disconnected, and unable to grow. One of the most common and subtle forms of denial is the denial of our need for others . When safe, nurturing relationships were unavailable or unsafe early in life,

Reaction formation  is a defense mechanism in which a person behaves in the exact opposite  way of what they truly feel, want, or need. It’s not usually intentional — it is an unconscious strategy the mind uses to protect itself from feelings that feel dangerous, shameful, or too vulnerable to acknowledge. What Reaction Formation Looks Like Someone who feels deeply lonely may present themselves as fiercely independent.S omeone who longs for connection may preach against “need