We all want to flourish in life, in some capacity or another. Maybe we want to succeed in our roles at work, or as a partner to our significant other, or possibly in a hobby that means a lot to us. A fear of failure is one factor that can feed into this in particular, whilst also getting in the way of us achieving our potential. But what exactly do we mean by it? And how can a fear of failure affect our mental health?
What is a fear of failure?
A fear of failure is simply the worry of not succeeding in one (or multiple) areas of life. This can be generalised to work, education, relationships, friendships, hobbies, etc.
It is often coupled with the exasperated need to achieve, and possibly the wish to appear successful to others. It is also associated with a multitude of psychological and emotional difficulties. An individual may feel inadequate, or guilty about their current situation. They may feel very anxious about the future, whilst also ruminating on their past decisions.
As with anything, a little fear can be helpful. Having a contained fear of failing can be motivational, as it pushes us to thoroughly prepare for future challenges, such as for interviews and exams. But this can very easily surpass a healthy amount of fear, and hinder rather than help us, especially in cases of Atychiphobia.
What impact does a fear of failure have on our mental health?
As well as being a diagnosable disorder itself, a fear of failure, even in smaller doses, can put pressure on our mental wellbeing in a number of ways. It can push us to work incredibly hard to the point of burnout, or alternatively, not try at all if there is not an 100% guarantee of success.
Other difficulties it is associated with includes:
– Depression or low mood
– Burnout
– Perfectionism
– Various anxiety disorders
– Low self-esteem
This type of fear can also promote a fixed mindset, where we believe we are defined by whether we succeed or fail, naturally increasing the pressure. This is the polar opposite of its healthier counterpart – a growth mindset. This is a kinder approach that views failure as key to our development, rather than a reflection of who we are, and so is not something to be fearful of.
How can we challenge this fear of failure?
There are multiple techniques that can help an individual overcome a fear of failure:
- Adjust how you define ‘failure’. Not getting something right after the first few times does not make you a ‘failure’, it means you are learning each time, and may just need more practise and time to get it right.
- Remind yourself what you gain from just trying, and what you learn from new experiences.
- Gradually expose yourself to the situations that frighten you. Try to challenge those boundaries. Pushing yourself through situations that make you uncomfortable can help build your resilience.
- Challenge negative thoughts. When you notice you have thoughts regarding a scenario that make you fearful, try to think of it in a more balanced way. Start by writing down what the thought is to establish what makes you fearful. Then write down all the reasons you should embrace the situation. Then make a step-by-step plan on how to tackle the challenge. This type of technique is used in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
Support from Brighter Life Therapy
Self-help techniques and resources can be so useful when improving our mental wellbeing, including to help challenge a fear of failure. Sometimes however, it isn’t quite enough.
If you are interested in using our service, we do provide CBT and psychotherapy sessions for children, young people and adults. Please do not hesitate to contact us by using our referral form below:
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Please fill in the details below, then press ‘submit the form’. Our Clinic Manager, Rhianna, will review the form and be in touch via email within 1 working day to discuss her recommendations. If we can help, we will provide you with a link to book an assessment with the most appropriate therapist.
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