Loss Fear Anger Depression
- Tom Lynam
- Jul 11, 2015
- 2 min read
Sheffield Hypnotherapy
The sense of loss is what links fear, anger and depression. This can be loss in a material sense or in a more abstract sense such as loss of face; how people perceive you, loss of pride, loss of a relationship. Anxiety is also related to loss, although this arises when a person feels a loss of some sort is imminent and do not have the resources with which to deal with it.
The salient factor which dictates the arising emotion following loss is dictated by an individuals' perceived ability to cope. When the event occurs, an initial appraisal takes place in which the event is framed, categorised and qualified, subsequently the secondary appraisal is made which consists of ascertaining whether the individual feels they have the abilities, skills and faculties to deal with the presenting loss.
If the individual perceives they are able to deal with the presenting loss they are more likely to feel empowered and anger follows. Lack of perceived necessary skill sets may lead to anger or depression. This emotional crossroads hinges upon whether the individual can rationalise the loss they are experiencing; if another person is deemed responsible and they are a figure of respect or the individual thinks that the loss is fair or justifiable, they are more likely to move toward depression.
People may also experience loss in an indirect way, in that they have seemingly experienced no personal loss but the way in which they identify aspects of their own personality with the world may induce the emotional consequences of loss. For example, a person may identify with a certain cultural or religious group; if they are mistreated by the government or authorities the individual can feel fear, anger, or depression as if it was directed at them personally.
When presented with these emotions during hypnotherapy assessments, we can assume that some type of loss has occured and it is pertinent to explore this with a view to formulating treatment. What does the individual feel they have lost? If they don't feel they have the skill set to cope, what skills would allow them to feel in control?
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