A patient with a striking physical symptom seems remarkably unbothered by it. Before revealing the answer, decide what distinguishes la belle indifference from denial.

Check whether the person is accurately acknowledging the symptom itself. In la belle indifference, the person describes the symptom fully and accurately, in as much detail as anyone would expect — what is unusual is only the calm, unconcerned attitude they show while doing so. In denial, it is the acknowledgement itself that is incomplete: the person minimises, refuses to accept, or in some cases seems unable to recognise the emotional significance or even the basic facts of the situation. La belle indifference is a mismatch between an accurately reported symptom and the feeling shown about it; denial is a gap in the acknowledgement of the symptom or situation itself.