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Cindy Anthony was on the Today show last week and I was asked to review the video for all the apparent lies. It doesn’t take any talent to see that Cindy is having a hard time with the truth, and can’t face it, but is she doing this intentionally or is this an unconscious coping mechanism?

Read moreThe topic about whether Cindy is intentionally lying is highly debated and I can confidently say to you that the more emotional you feel about this subject, the more likely are to believe that Cindy Anthony is absolutely lying, but I don’t believe that. I don’t believe Cindy’s clearer-than-day denial of the truth are her attempts to deceive the public. Rather I believe she is talking like this because it is a coping mechanism–because it is too hard to face the truth. It’s too much to bear. I believe Cindy Anthony is in denial. The American Psychological Association defines denial like this:

Denial represents a basic or primitive psychological defense mechanism by which a person or persons unconsciously rejects some or all of the meanings of an event or situation. Through denial, an individual or even a group of individuals (loved ones, friends, colleagues) avoid awareness of some painful aspect or aspects of reality (health issues, financial issues, relationship issues) in order to decrease anxiety or other unpleasurable emotions such as guilt or shame (1).

George, on the other hand I suspect knows the truth, but loves Cindy and is trying to support her however he can.

Mental health expert, Jim West, talks about how Cindy Anthony could be in denial as well.

References:

(1) Moore, Burness E. & Fine, Bernard D (Editors) Psychoanalytic Terms and Concepts. The American Psychoanalytic Association, 1990 pgs 50-51.