wfs@mgweed.UUCP (Walt Scott) (03/06/84)
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)