wfs@mgweed.UUCP (Walt Scott) (03/22/84)
SELF - HELP(Pt.2) * How Self-Hypnosis Can Help Your Performance * ----Launch A Counterattack On "Freezing Up" ----- By Duane A. Widdifield, Ph.D.: PT.2 So, the stress turn-off syndrome is a group of symptoms which indicate that something is wrong with a person which causes that person to become abnormally nonreactive under relatively normal stress situations. That is, a poor runner tripping over his shoelace, or a duffer missing a putt, or a weak hitter striking out, or a novice soldier blanking out in an attack situation would be considered normal responses to high stress. But a trained athlete, who easily wins minor competitions and who performs exceptionally well in practice, making careless mistakes or turning off in the very situations for which he has trained, is an abnormal response. Stress turn-off syndrome is not limited to athletes. Anyone who trains for success in any field of endeavor, and within easy reach of that success, but then fails or quits, is probably a victim of stress turn-off syndrome. WHAT CAUSES STRESS TURN-OFF? Stress turn-off is normal approach- avoidance conflick added to a personality disorder. As one might expect, the problem begins in childhood. The child is intimidated by parental authority and consequently he represses his feelings of anger and rejection. The child then develops a specific skill, which attracts the attention of outsiders. The powerful parent also becomes interested. The child wins minor competitions easily. the powerful parent now becomes supportive and encouraging. The child trains harder. Everyone is convinced that he will win the final competition easily. Then, the child gets sick, or he trips, or he slips, or he blanks out. Whatever the cause, he loses....... ...............(cont'd. in pt.3)