It's Not Denial, It's a Brain Disorder

The science is clear and unequivocal, the number one reason that people with severe mental illness (SMI) do not accept help or treatment is due to a “lack of insight” of their illness,  otherwise known as ANOSOGNOSIA—a neurological symptom that leaves a person unable to understand that s/he is ill, consequently becoming non-compliant, treatment resistant, and isolated. IT’S NOT DENIAL, IT’S A BRAIN DISORDER. Anosognosia causes refusal of, or inconsistent, treatment, worsening of symptoms over time, deterioration in long-term prognosis and other devastating outcomes: i.e., repeated cycle of involuntary hospitalizations followed by noncompliance then relapse, criminalization, poorer psycho-social functioning, increased aggression, homelessness, and suicide (DSM IV-TR, American Psychiatric Association Press, 2000; DSM-V, American Psychiatric Association Press, 2013).   

Despite the nearly three decades of anosognosia research and evidence, there continues to be a gap of education available to help professionals and family caregivers to address this pervasive symptom and the…