How do you deal with learned helplessess?

Question

Sorry I misspelled "helplessness" (hard to spell, isnt' it?)

Answer 1

Therapy. To overcome learnt helplessness, you can't just "deal" with it, that won't work. Maybe you didn't mean to word it that way.

Identifying it is a good start. As difficult as it may be, one must chose not to be that way anymore. Baby steps, moving forward, changing thought processes and if possible staying away from those who created the problem.

Break the cycle, or it will just be passed on again.

Answer 2

Seligman is one of the researchers known for this phenomenon. He now is doing research in learned optimism. You may want to check out some of his books on the topic. One of my favorites is raising an optimistic child. A quick and dirty way of getting out of the learned helplessness rut is to not give up. Challenge yourself. Break things into small obtainable goals and reward yourself for meeting even the smallest goals. You will backslide at times but if you fail at something or meet an obstacle keep going. It's always easier to not try and later regret than it is to work hard in the face of opposition but the rewards are greater for work.

Answer 3

I would suggest putting yourself in a positoin where someone or something is relying on you. Basically helping others to overcome the feeling of helplessness and to eventually learn to help yourself. Start with something small that doesn;t require too much committment or responsibility. Volunteer at an animal shelter, or go play with orphaned/hospitalised kids, or read to people at an old age home, or something. Any situation in which you do something for a person who values it and who could not do it for themselves will teach you that you have strengths and resources, and you will begin to build trust in yourself.

Answer 4

Is it your own sense of learned helplessness or is it someone you know. If it is your own, I suggest looking for ways to be successful even in small challenges and then move towards greater challenges. Work on giving yourself credit for what you are able to do and look to what you have been successful at to give yourself more sense of power. If it is a friend, then encourage the friend in the same way, and refuse to do the work for them.

Answer 5

If i'm right i think you mean helplessness right.
We all feel helpless sometimes, and if it is learned helplessness...it can also be unlearned dont you think?...... we can be taught to change the way we think, and behave.

Answer 6

Motivational speeches.
Setting smaller goals and reaching them to build self-confidence.
Read books on practical knowledge, and wisdom.

Answer 7

learned empowerment