Learned helplessness, a concept closely related to animal psychology and behavior, occurs when a person is subject to the same aversive

experiences and/or outcomes which are unchanging or unavoidable for a period of time. This leads to inaction as the person will begin to believe that their

effort is futile; nothing they do can change their situation.

This behavioral pattern isn’t always reversible in nature. In human beings, however, there is reason to believe that it is very manageable and even

preventable.

According to Medical News Today, learned helplessness in people can present itself in a lot of different ways including: procrastination and

avoidance behaviors, passivity, lack of effort, and low motivation.While it is not a mental health condition, it can on occasion be a sign of a mental disorder

such as GAD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder..

Although there has not been a ton of research regarding the subject, it’s best to act on what experts do know so far, in order to be proactive and to

minimize the risk. What is known is this: Learned helplessness typically originates during childhood.

Being conscious of, and honestly assessing and reassessing the approach a parent takes when it comes to their children can make all the difference.

Overbearing and overly-involved parenting styles, in general, have been known to have largely negative effects. This is especially true in the development of

learned helplessness. Parenting this way can inhibit a child’s personal sense of agency. They begin to feel they don’t need to put forth any effort. Unreliable,

unresponsive, and rigid parenting also lends to this pattern of thinking as it bolsters feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.

Parents today are in dire need of change. Education on the social emotional as well as the physical needs of children prior to having them is a great

solution. Researching and reading up on different methods of parenting, discipline, and reward as well as their effects on children would largely reduce the risk

for many and allow for children to be genuinely successful.