Believe it or not, Julie K. Norem, Ph. D, and associate professor of psychology at Wellesley College has written a book on the powers of defensive pessimism. Norem defines defensive pessimism as a “strategy used by anxious people to help them manage their anxiety so they can work productively.” Norem says defensive pessimists lower their expectations to prepare for the worst and then mentally play through all the bad things that might happen. Though it sounds depressing, Norem says it helps anxious people focus away from their emotions so they can plan and act effectively (www.defensivepessimism.com).
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