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I've been attempting to summarise the emotion of knowing the truth about something and disliking it yet pretending it's not the case and not wanting to ask/clarify it, even though it's in the back of your mind and you're fully aware you're pretending.
I can't seem to phrase it in a simpler manner however this is the best I can describe it with such few words, so I was wondering if there was a less complicated term/word for it that I haven't been able to find.
Apologies for the long question
psychological conflict resulting from incongruous beliefs and attitudes held simultaneously
This Wikipedia article will tell you all you want to know.
It covers the discomfort of holding the conflicting positions but not necessarily the reluctance to resolve them.
refusing to admit the truth or reality of something unpleasant
Better covers the unwillingness to confirm the unpalatable truth.
The colloquial phrase that comes to mind is 'to have a sinking feeling' about something. Example:
She set out to work hoping to beat the storm, but she had a sinking feeling because of the hard rain and rising water levels in the street. She eventually gave up and turned back.
