Coping

Notes

Claim

Coping methods are ways we handle/perceive the world, usually to avoid pain that emanates from certain experiences.

Explanation

To take an extreme example, religion often helps us deal with loss because we believe it was ordained by god, that there is somehow a good reason for it, and we let go of constantly asking ourselves why and drowning in Despair.

Why it matters

Examples

However, not all coping strategies are of equal worth. Some are more harmful, like Escapism is withdrawing from difficulty through distraction and avoidance, where we decide to avoid experiences all together and focus on something that makes the pain go away, even if momentarily.

Similarly, Victim mentality is another, because it allows us to shift the blame from us to the outside world. It too avoids the tough questions of what have I done wrong and what can I do better.

Lastly, Pessimism is focusing attention on negative outcomes and threats is another coping mechanism, to avoid the frightening uncertainty of the world, we believe that the worst outcome will always prevail, so that we are not "surprised" when it happens. This fake sense of control is the benefit of pessimism.

Alternatively, one can think about more positive coping mechanisms, for example Obstacles as stepping stones, where we focus on learning and growing from harmful experiences.

Supporters

Opposers

Open questions

Visual

Overview

🔼Topic:: Avoidance and Defense Mechanisms ↩️Origin:: 🔗Link::