At the mercy of myself: A thematic analysis of beliefs about losing control

Abstract

Purpose

Concerns about the likelihood, consequences, and meaning of losing control are commonplace across anxiety-related disorders. However, several experimental studies have suggested that individuals without a diagnosis of a mental disorder also believe that they can and will lose control under the right circumstances. Understanding the range of beliefs about the nature and consequences of losing control can help us to better understand the continuum of negative beliefs about losing control.

Methods

The present study used thematic analysis to identify common beliefs about losing control in an unselected sample. Twenty-one participants, half of whom met criteria for at least one anxiety-related disorder, were interviewed about their beliefs about losing control.

Results

All 21 participants reported that losing control was possible. Losses of control were defined as multifaceted cognitive-behavioural processes and were seen as negative considering the perceived consequences of the losses. Commonly described consequences were harm to oneself or others, powerlessness, and unpleasant emotions during (e.g., sadness, frustration, and anxiety) and following (e.g., regret, shame, and humiliation) a loss of control.

Conclusions

These results suggest that perceived losses of control are common and that negative beliefs about losing may only become problematic when the losses are personally significant. Further, they offer important insight into what is common among clinical and non-clinical beliefs about losing control and inform how these beliefs might be worth targeting in cognitive and behavioural interventions.