![]() ![]() In modern times, it might be easier to think of it this way: Your brain is like a smoke detector. ![]() This is why the most primitive parts of our brains take a “better safe than sorry” approach to uncertainties, both big and small. When early humans were wandering the Earth, underestimating what was around the corner (or in the bushes or the forest) could be deadly. Thanks to our ancient ancestors, our brains are designed to expect the worst. Our brains interpret uncertainty as danger, which is why - in our minds - a typo at work turns into us being fired or a failed test turns into us dropping out of school. ![]() It’s the most common reaction we have to uncertain situations. It’s something I’ve seen time and again throughout my work, and it’s called catastrophizing, or overestimating the likelihood or consequences of our worst fears. This is a complete catastrophe,” Paul yelled, more at himself than at me. Now, he had another in just a few hours and was positive that it was going to be a disaster as well. Paul was sure he had failed an exam earlier that day. And this day, I was staffing the emergency walk-in on a college campus. I’ve given talks at the companies where they work. And for the past 20 years, I have worked - in many capacities - with young adults. ![]() Not long ago, a medical student, let’s call him Paul, walked into my shift in the emergency room of a large university and told me that his life was ruined. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |