Self-Deception, Mental Illness, and the Human Experience
Are you conscious of how you lie to yourself?
“There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn’t true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true.” — Soren Kierkegaard
The human experience is often described as a battle between what we want to believe and what we know to be true.
This dichotomy is one of the most fundamental aspects of human nature, and it manifests itself in many different ways.
Self-deception is an integral part of this dichotomy because it attempts to help us to maintain our mental well-being.
What are the Pros of Self-Deception?
Self-deception is the behavior of people who know the truth but choose to ignore it.
The person has a false belief about themselves, their abilities, or the world.
Many psychologists believe that self-deception can be beneficial for some people.
It can be helpful for someone who wants to improve their social standing or for someone who wants to feel better about themselves.
Some people may use self-deception to cope with anxiety or stress. It can also be used to protect their ego from being hurt.
What are the Cons of Self-Deception?
The main con of self-deception is that it can lead to mental illness.
If someone cannot face reality, they may start to experience delusions and hallucinations.
Self-deception can also lead to social problems. Self-deceived people may have difficulty in relationships and may make poor decisions.
The bottom line is that self-deception can be good and bad for people. It all depends on the individual and the situation.
“The visionary lies to himself, the liar only to others.” — Friedrich Nietzsche
How to Cope With Mental Illness?
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental illness, there are some things you can do to help them cope.
One of the most important things you can do is to be there for them. Listen to them and offer support. You can also help them get professional help if they need it.
Educate yourself about mental illness to understand what they are going through. This will help you be more supportive.
Finally, try to be patient and understanding. Mental illness is an actual disease that takes time to recover from.
Why We Need To Deceive Ourselves And Why That’s Important
Deception is a core part of human nature. We deceive ourselves into thriving and finding happiness.
We humans are devious, cunning creatures that use deception to get what we want or need.
There are three main types of self-deception: self-enhancement, self-protection, and self-serving.
Self-enhancement is when we convince ourselves of things that make us feel good about ourselves. This can be things like thinking we are better than we are or denying our flaws. It involves believing that you are better than other people in some way.
Self-protection is when we avoid the truth because it is too painful to face. This can be things like denial or repression. It involves believing that your situation will improve or that you will not suffer any negative consequences.
Finally, Self-serving deception is when we twist the truth to get what we want. This can be things like lying or exaggerating. It’s also done by convincing ourselves that our behavior was correct even when it was wrong or had negative consequences for someone else.
All three types of self-deception serve a purpose; they help us to cope with the world and find happiness. It is not always a bad thing; in fact, it can be pretty necessary for our survival.
Is Self Deceit Just a Form of Lying?
The idea of self-deceit is not a new concept. It has been around for centuries and has been used in various contexts. In context of lying, it is often referred to as “lying to oneself.”
Self-deceit is a form of lying, but only if one believes that they are being deceitful. It cannot be classified as self-deceit if one does not think they are being deceitful.
Self-deceit is a form of lying used to convince oneself of something untrue.
For example, if someone tells themselves, they are not affected by their alcoholism, this would be an example of self-deceit.
The bottom line is that self-deceit can be classified as lying only if the person believes they are being deceitful. If they do not believe they are being deceitful, then it cannot be classified as self-deceit.
What Are The Different Types Of Lies We Tell Ourselves?
There are many different types of lies we tell ourselves. Here are some common ones:
I’m not good enough.
I’m not smart enough.
I’m not pretty enough.
I’m not worth it.
I’m not lovable.
These types of lies can harm our lives. They can make us feel bad about ourselves and prevent us from reaching our full potential.
“Lying to ourselves is more deeply ingrained than lying to others.” — Fyodor Dostoevsky
Why Do We Deceive Ourselves?
There are many reasons why we deceive ourselves. One reason is that it can help us to cope with difficult situations.
For example, if we have suffered a traumatic event, such as the death of a loved one, it can be too painful to face the truth. So, we might tell ourselves that they are still alive or that the pain will go away soon.
Self-deception can also help us to achieve our goals. We are more likely to succeed if we convince ourselves that we can achieve something.
For example, if you tell yourself, “I can do this,” before a big exam, you are more likely to do well than if you tell yourself, “I’m going to fail.”
Sometimes, we deceive ourselves because we want to avoid the truth. The truth might be that we are in a difficult situation or have made a mistake.
It is often easier to convince ourselves of something positive than to face the negative consequences of the truth.
Self-deception can have both positive and negative consequences.
Positive consequences can include increased motivation and improved mental health.
Negative consequences include decreased mental health and reduced ability to cope with difficult situations.
For example, if you tell yourself that the pain from your loved one’s death will go away soon, you might not seek counseling or other support. This can lead to increased feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Before engaging in it, it is crucial to be aware of the potential consequences of self-deception. If you find yourself deceiving yourself, try to think about why you are doing it and whether the effects are worth it.
How To Avoid Self-Deception
Avoiding self-deception can be difficult, but it is possible.
One way to avoid self-deception is to be aware of your thoughts and emotions. If you think something that doesn’t seem accurate, challenge it.
Try to think of evidence that disproves the thought.
Another way to avoid self-deception is to talk to someone about your thoughts and feelings. A therapist or counselor can help you to understand why you are telling yourself these lies and how to stop them.
Finally, avoid making decisions when you are feeling emotional. If you feel sad, angry, or afraid, you are more likely to deceive yourself.
Wait until you are feeling calm and rational before making any decisions. This will help you to make the best decision for yourself.
The Importance of Honesty
It is vital, to be honest with ourselves, but it is easy to deceive ourselves without even realizing it.
We can’t always see the truth because we are too focused on what we want and need to be true.
That is why it is crucial to have self-awareness and understanding of our own biases.
We need to know what we are doing, how we are doing it, and why. It will help us understand the world better and make wiser decisions in life.
“The fact is that we have no way of knowing if the person who we think we are is at the core of our being. Are you a decent girl with the potential to someday become an evil monster, or are you an evil monster that thinks it’s a decent girl?” — Derek Landy
What it Means to Be Honest About Yourself And Your Beliefs
Being honest about yourself and your beliefs means being true to who you are.
It’s telling the truth, no matter how unpopular it may be or how much trouble it may cause you.
It’s taking responsibility for your actions, no matter what they may be or how much they affect others.
And finally, it’s being authentic and proud of yourself— because that is all that matters.
The world is full of dishonest people, and it can be tempting to join them.
But being honest has its rewards — it’s a sign of strength, integrity, and a quality that will always be respected.
So ask yourself, “What does it mean to be honest about myself and my beliefs?” and then decide to live up to that standard.
It can be challenging to be honest with ourselves, but it is worth it. When we are honest, we can see the world more and make better decisions.
What do you think is the most critical thing to do about self-deception?
Are you aware of how you do it? Let me know in the comments!
© Alejandro Betancourt, 2022. All Rights Reserved.