WHEN GOOD IS NOT AN OPTION: CHOOSING BAD VERSUS WORSE
Why would one choose long term misery over short term pain? These individuals want to feel better and improve their lives, but stop short of taking the necessary action to do so. They are unhappy and stuck - whether it be in a bad relationship or job situation, or perhaps dealing with a chronic physical, mental health or addiction problem. The cause? Combined or standing alone, here are two possible obstacles to change:
1. Discomfort avoidance: Avoiding action that would likely lead to negative experiences and feelings for self or others – e.g. discord/dislike/retaliation, vulnerability, sadness, fear, loneliness, guilt, embarrassment, awkwardness, anger, regret.
2. Risk aversion: Aversion to events or situations that involve uncertainty, are unfamiliar, where outcomes are unpredictable/not guaranteed or could potentially “make a bad situation worse”.
Discomfort avoidance and risk aversion come in many forms:
Over-estimating the probability of negative outcomes
Under-estimating the probability of positive or neutral outcomes
Predicting and selectively focusing on the worse possible scenario otherwise known as catastrophizing
Doubting one’s ability to tolerate or withstand the pain
Not feeling confident they are making the right choice, fear of making a mistake that can’t be undone, will lead to ruin, they will regret, etc.
Perspective of “forever” vs. “point in time”
Minimizing the problem/issue or the opposite, stating they also have, contribute to, etc. the problem/issue (“I’m just as bad, Who am I to judge”) when pushed to self-activate
Convincing or fooling oneself that things will get better with time or other changes in external circumstances
Help rejecting complaining and/or excuse making, “I’ll do it when…”
Apparent acceptance: “Looks like butter, but it’s not”
Signs and symptoms of choosing long term misery:
Addictive and compulsive behaviors (attempts to mitigate the effects of the problem via negative coping mechanisms including using fantasy to escape)
Ruminating and resentful
Perspective and behaviors related to martyrdom, self-sacrifice and/or subjugation
Feeling victimized: Taken advantage of, bullied, targeted, treated unfairly, etc. and helpless to do anything about it
Chronic low-grade depressed mood, passivity, lethargy, low motivation, apathy, complacency
Having a core experience of feeling not worthy of good things – i.e. defective, unlovable, destined to suffer, etc.
Somatic problems and issues
