Overcoming Self-Learned Helplessness: Strategies for Personal Growth

For many, the learned feeling of situational helplessness and personal immobility promotes barriers and minimal accomplishments. In addition, this self-defeating behavior delays the personal growth of individuals from all walks of life. Countermeasures for this type of behavior include personal study, group discussions and pursuit of educational or work-related accomplishments.

Education

• Educational achievements provide an effective method to eliminate self-learned helplessness. For many, the completion of a degree program or the acquisition of a trade or specialized job title assists in promoting confidence, earning power and mental well-being.

Support

• The positive support of a spouse, close relatives and long-term friends help remove the personal barriers associated with self-learned helplessness. The effort to help a friend afflicted with self-defeating behavior includes open communication and the use of planned activities and events to instill confidence and motivation.

Reading

• The wealth of self-help books and periodicals provide unparalleled value for those with self-learned helplessness. For many, libraries and bookstores house the latest in self-growth and personal development-style writing. In addition, audio tapes and videos provide an additional avenue for removing self-defeating behavior.

Class

• A wealth of individual classes and workshops promote growth and healing for those plagued with episodes of helplessness. These events deliver a supportive environment and the use of discussion designed to alleviate the anxiety of self-defeating behavior and habits.