A “lack of insight” in psychology means the inability to understand you have a mental illness or that you have symptoms of mental illness. The gift of insight is a powerful one, but also an ability I had taken for granted before losing it.

My psychotic breaks took hold instantly, and when they did, my self-awareness and critical thinking were gone. I could no longer question myself or the false reality I was thrust into. I could no longer distinguish between real life and this entirely different narrative and interpretation of events and recollections that had taken siege of my mind.

Once this complete distortion took over, I was unable to understand that this fabrication was false or that I was ill. I was in so much danger and was so vulnerable because I had lost my ability to reason, and hence, I lost the ability to make appropriate choices. I couldn’t check my behavior or decisions with reason and reality to protect myself and be adequately understood by others.

“Lack of insight” is also known as anosognosia.[1] It can occur with serious mental illness where a person cannot understand that they are ill. Unfortunately, this condition is a leading reason why people with severe mental illness refuse medication and treatment. It is mostly common for those with schizophrenia, dementia, bipolar disorder, and Alzheimer’s.

Anosognosia is most common........

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