As Psychology Today reports, a recent study by psychologists from the University of Minnesota has shed light on one of the important phenomena that occurs during depression – the avoidance of positive moments, known as “reward deprecation”. People suffering from depression often not only confirm their negative beliefs about themselves, but also refuse the opportunity to receive positive emotions. This phenomenon was demonstrated through laboratory experiments, where participants with high levels of depression avoided positive stimuli, writes IZ.
Interestingly, some people who are afraid of happiness even try to avoid situations that could lead to positive emotions. They perceive any joy as a threat, which leads to even worse consequences. In the experiment, participants were offered situations where one of the possible endings was positive. However, people with high levels of anxiety and depression often chose more negative options, even when it was obvious that they would lead to a better result.
These results indicate that people with a “fear of happiness” can not only ignore positive outcomes, but also actively question them, seeing them as hidden threats. Such people not only consider positive situations unimportant, but also consciously avoid them, which only deepens their depressive state. In a therapeutic context, this can complicate the treatment process, as standard methods aimed at positive thinking may be ineffective.
The authors of the study believe that people who are prone to this phenomenon should learn to perceive positivity as a normal and desired outcome, rather than as a threat. Simply put, it is important to allow yourself to feel positive emotions, even when it seems that it is not quite the right time. This will not only help in overcoming depression, but will also contribute to improving the overall emotional background.
Recall that earlier we wrote about what it means to see a wedding in a dream.