I see two clear categories of clients in my practice. Those who come in to discuss how they are feeling, to understand why they feel the way they do. And those who come in reeling from a crisis that has reached a head. Often there’s an association with acute substance abuse, or major interpersonal problems.
A recent US study of 347 adults, who were seeking psychological help, found that only three per cent of people were in danger of major depression or anxiety, simply because they could cope with negative emotions and fear.
The number of the more vulnerable people increased over ten times to 38 per cent, if they were personalities who struggled with feelings of discomfort or fear.
The difference is that the first group of people feel the negative feelings, but they don’t run from them. It hurts to feel “not good”, but these personalities want to understand why.