5 Reasons Why Being Afraid of Your Feelings is a Major Cause of Chronic Mental Health Conditions
Feelings are an inherent part of the human experience, yet many people live in fear of their emotions. This fear can lead to and be linked to the cause of chronic mental health conditions, as it prevents individuals from processing and integrating their emotional experiences in healthy ways.
When people fear their feelings, they often resort to avoidance, suppression, or denial. These coping mechanisms may provide short-term relief but inevitably contribute to long term mental health issues. Suppressing emotions can lead to increased anxiety, depression, and a sense of disconnection from oneself and others. Over time, the inability to face and process emotions can create a cycle of chronic stress and mental health deterioration. It also shrinks one’s experiences in life through avoidance. Here is a list of the five main ways that fearing one’s emotions fuels and may be the cause chronic of mental health conditions:
- Increased anxiety due to emotional suppression.
- Development of depression from unprocessed feelings.
- Chronic stress and burnout from avoiding emotions.
- Exacerbation of PTSD by preventing the healing process.
- OCD behaviors arising from managing anxiety and avoiding emotions.
Fearing one’s feelings and emotions can be linked to a variety of mental health conditions. One may wonder if this main stuck point, fear of feelings, is the cause of many chronic mental health conditions. For example, anxiety disorders often arise when individuals are unable to process their feelings, leading to persistent worry and fear.
Depression can also develop because of emotional suppression, causing a profound sense of sadness and loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. Additionally, chronic stress and burnout are common outcomes of continuously avoiding emotions, as the unaddressed feelings accumulate and overwhelm the individual.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be exacerbated by a fear of emotions, preventing the healing process and perpetuating the cycle of trauma. People with PTSD often avoid triggers. A trigger in PTSD is a stimulus that evokes a memory or reaction related to the traumatic event that caused the disorder. This can be anything that reminds the individual of the trauma, such as certain smells, sounds, places, or even emotions.
When a person with PTSD encounters a trigger, it can lead to intense emotional and physical reactions, such as panic attacks, flashbacks, or overwhelming distress. The response is often disproportionate to the actual threat posed by the trigger, as the brain associates it with the original traumatic experience. If individuals with PTSD consistently avoid triggers, it inhibits the natural reduction of their trigger reaction over time. Exposure to non-threatening triggers helps reduce their reactions since the actual threat is no longer present.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can also be linked to a fear of feelings, as individuals may develop compulsive behaviors to manage their anxiety and avoid confronting their emotions. People with OCD often try to control their environment meticulously to avoid confronting their feelings. This can involve creating scenarios in their minds about future events that are unlikely to happen, resulting in negative expectations and heightened anxiety.
For example, someone with OCD might repeatedly check that their door is locked, fearing a break-in that has no current basis. They carry out this compulsion to cope with the anxiety of an imagined threat, even though their home is already secure. Living with OCD is challenging, but it is important to approach those affected with empathy and patience, offering support as they navigate their fears. Encouraging professional help and being a consistent source of understanding can significantly contribute to their journey toward managing OCD.
Lastly, dissociation where individuals feel disconnected from their thoughts, feelings, or sense of identity, is often linked to an inability to face and integrate emotional experiences. Dissociation is a defense mechanism where individuals detach from their thoughts, feelings, or sense of identity to avoid overwhelming emotions, often as part of the freeze response within the fight or flight system.
This response can occur without conscious control, as the nervous system instinctively chooses the perceived safest option during stress or trauma. Trauma therapy can be instrumental for those who experience dissociation, offering strategies to safely process and integrate these intense emotions, ultimately fostering a sense of resilience and connection to their inner selves.
Offering compassion to those who fear their feelings is crucial. Many individuals feel ill-equipped to handle intense emotions because they lack the necessary coping tools or skills. This lack of emotional resilience can stem from various factors, such as upbringing, personal experiences, or even cultural influences. For some, a childhood where emotions were dismissed or punished can result in an adult who fears their feelings. It is important to acknowledge that emotions are an unavoidable aspect of life, and fostering an environment of understanding and support can help individuals gain the confidence to face their emotions.
However, rigid thinking can further exacerbate mental health issues by shrinking an individual’s world and limiting their experiences. When people hold on to inflexible beliefs and patterns of thought, they close themselves off from new experiences and opportunities for growth. They may fear new things or the future because of its uncertainty. This rigidity can lead to feelings of stagnation, frustration, and hopelessness, as individuals become trapped in a narrow, unchanging mindset. To break free from rigid thinking and improve mental health, individuals can adopt several flexible thinking strategies:
- Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness encourages staying present and observing thoughts without judgment, which can help individuals become more aware of their rigid thinking patterns and allow for more adaptive responses. One method that can be helpful is the mindfulness STOP method.
- Challenge negative thoughts: Actively questioning and reframing negative or unhelpful thoughts can promote a more balanced and positive outlook, reducing the impact of rigid thinking. One tool is to look at what CBT calls cognitive distortions and identifying them.
- Embrace uncertainty: Accepting that uncertainty is a natural part of life can help individuals become more comfortable with change and reduce anxiety related to rigid thinking.
- Seek diverse perspectives: Engaging with different viewpoints and experiences can broaden an individual’s understanding and reduce the likelihood of becoming stuck in rigid thought patterns. Rather than having good or bad, all or nothing thoughts, ask yourself what the middle ground is. Also question whether this is some random fleeting thought or is this actually happening in the moment.
- Set realistic goals: Establishing achievable and flexible goals can foster a sense of progress and adaptability, counteracting the stagnation that often accompanies rigid thinking. It is important to be kind and compassionate to yourself.
- Recognize that feelings are transient and ever-changing; they come and go, reminding us that they are a natural and essential part of being human. Emotions provide valuable insights into our experiences and help us navigate the complexities of life.
Each of these strategies contributes to mental health by promoting adaptability, resilience, and a more open-minded approach to life’s challenges.
Therapy is an invaluable resource for individuals who fear their feelings. It offers a safe space to explore and understand emotions while developing effective coping tools. Therapists can help individuals identify the root causes of their emotional fears and work through them in a supportive and non-judgmental environment. Through therapy, individuals can learn to embrace their emotions, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and build emotional resilience.
In summary, fearing one’s feelings can lead to chronic mental health conditions by perpetuating avoidance and suppression. Offering compassion and understanding to those who struggle with their emotions can help them feel less isolated and more supported. Encouraging flexible thinking and providing access to therapy are essential steps in helping individuals overcome their fear of feelings and achieve better mental health. Embracing emotions as a natural part of life is key to fostering emotional well-being and resilience.
About the Author
Heather Caruso, a Registered Psychotherapist, Trauma Counselor, and Art Therapist, is renowned for her exceptional skills, caring nature, and compassionate approach. At Art Therapy Guelph, she provides both online therapy for residents of Ontario and in-person sessions for those in Guelph. Heather’s holistic approach creates a safe and expressive environment for individuals to explore and heal. She understands the unique needs of each person tailored therapy to the individuals’ values and requirements. Heather offers a free online chat for anyone interested in learning more about her therapeutic services and to determine if they are a suitable match for their needs.
If you or someone you know could benefit from Heather Caruso’s expertise, don’t hesitate to book a free chat today. Take the first step towards emotional well-being and resilience by reaching out to see how Heather can support you on your journey to healing. Book Now.