ABSTRACT
Suppression as a coping defense requires a semiconscious choice, a balancing act of awareness of a conflict and a response pushing impulsive action aside, allowing functioning to continue. There is no replacement element for the unwanted feelings or condition that triggers a need for conflict relief. One does not experience the pleasure of a new option with suppression. Suppression is a mighty and useful tool that can keep one safe while reinforcing feelings of strength, competency, and value. It connects directly with one’s sense of self and identity. When suppression is healthfully successful, the capacity to persist under adverse conditions bolsters resilience and a willingness to take risks with confidence they can be managed. A more primitive cousin of suppression is denial, and sometimes confused with suppression or repression. Denial involves active refusal to believe that something is true or exists, regardless of objective facts.
