Denial: an adaptive response.
Denial is a common nursing diagnosis for cardiac patients; yet, not all denial situations are bad. This author describes when denial is actually a successful coping mechanism and describes how to decide when to intervene and when to allow the patient to use this coping technique.
Robinson
K R
KR
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D003717:Denial, Psychological; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009733:Nursing Diagnosis