Learned Helplessness

Learned helplessness is a psychological state in which a person, after experiencing adverse situations they perceive as uncontrollable, stops trying to change their circumstances even when options to do so exist.

How it shows up: It is usually accompanied by passivity, low motivation, a feeling of powerlessness, and a pessimistic outlook on one's own efforts. It is often related to low mood or sustained anxiety.

Possible causes: Repeated experiences of failure, chronic stress, or environments in which the outcomes seemed not to depend on one's own behavior.

Who can provide guidance? Professionals in the psychological field and complementary therapists work on this type of pattern from an educational and supportive approach. If you recognize these signs in yourself or in someone close, talking with a mental health professional can be a good first step to regaining a sense of control.