The fear of failure is medically known as atychiphobia. It is something that everyone may have experienced at some point in their lives. It can be mild to severe. But people who have an extreme fear of failure in performing any task so bad that it greatly affects their daily lives is called atychiphobia. It prevents the patient from completing tasks and avoiding certain situations that hinder achievement of goals and lead to intense anxiety. The symptoms that may occur in these cases can be emotional or physical. The emotional symptoms include anxiety, panic attacks in certain situations where failure is felt, irritability, anger, sadness, feeling depressed and intense worry that failure will happen. Avoiding trying new tasks/facing situations that cause anxiety and feeling of failure, procrastinating on tasks, negative thoughts in the mind, feeling of not being able to perform or complete a task, inability to set goals, feeling of helplessness, self-doubt, feeling of being unreal and fear of losing control are some other symptoms.
The physical symptoms include difficulty sleeping due to overthinking, sweating, flashes of hot or cold, fatigue, stomach problems, heart palpitations, difficulty breathing, shaking, tingling sensations and dizziness. This phobia can develop based on a previous experience of failure where a person has faced great difficulties, been punished for their failure, suffered humiliation or suffered some intense consequences as a result of their failure. Then it can come from learning about this fear through books, news, etc.
A person may have adopted or learned this behavior from others after seeing someone have a fear of failure that deeply affected his or her mind. Apart from this, certain factors can contribute to developing this fear, such as growing up with criticism from others, having low self-esteem, low self-confidence and being a perfectionist. Having a family history of anxiety, phobia, or depression increases the risk of developing atychiphobia.
Homeopathic treatment
In case of fear of failure, one can get great help from homeopathic medicines. Homeopathic medicines are of natural origin and help overcome fears and anxieties in a very safe, gentle way and without side effects. They also help very effectively in managing symptoms related to fears and anxieties. The results vary from case to case, depending on the intensity, duration and frequency of the complaint. Homeopathic medicines are prescribed after a detailed case study based on the characteristic individual symptoms of each case. It is advisable to consult a homeopathic doctor. Self-medication with any of the homeopathic medicines should be avoided.
Homeopathic medicines for fear of failure
1. Argentum Nitricum – Top recommended drug
Argentum Nitricum is a top class homeopathic medicine for treating cases of various types of anxiety including performance anxiety. People who need this drug have obvious fears and concerns. They clearly have anticipatory anxiety. Anticipation means that you remain preoccupied or keep thinking about something that is going to happen soon. They feel that whatever task they take on, they are sure to fail. They may also fear losing control. They lack ambition in their lives. During the anxiety phase, they may also experience stomach problems, especially diarrhea (frequent loose stools). In addition to performance anxiety, Argentum Nitricum is also a prominently indicated medicine against other forms of anxiety. This includes fear of crowds, fear of heights, fear of the dark and fear of a panic attack.
2. Lycopodium – For anxiety with low self-confidence and low self-esteem
Another highly recommended medicine in homeopathy for managing cases of performance anxiety is Lycopodium. Individuals who require this medicine have low self-confidence and also low self-esteem. They are indecisive and cannot make decisions. They have no desire to take on a new task. They also have anxiety problems. They can also sometimes experience panic attacks. They are afraid of collapsing under stress. They worry excessively about the future. They feel sad, irritable and anxious when they wake up. Besides performance anxiety, Lycopodium is also indicated for controlling fear of public speaking, fear of the dark, of ghosts and also for cases of stage fright.
3. Silicea – with avoiding undertaking tasks due to fear of failure
Silicea is also a prominently indicated drug for managing cases of performance anxiety. Those who need this medicine avoid undertaking new tasks, because they are completely convinced that they will fail. They anticipate failure. They keep putting off completing tasks. They have very low self-confidence and feel inadequate. They are afraid of appearing in public and afraid of speaking in front of a group of people. They are very nervous and anxious people. They feel sad and hopeless and are made worse by mental exertion.
4. Arsenic album – For anxiety accompanied by anxiety and restlessness
This medicine can help with anxiety problems related to fear of failure. This medicine is suitable when there is marked anxiety and restlessness. Due to this, there is a desire to constantly change positions. The chest may feel tight during anxiety. The anxiety tends to worsen around midnight when this medicine is needed. People who need this medicine tend to worry about small things in their lives. There is also restlessness and trembling from intense fear. Cold sweating can play a role in this. In addition, there is marked tiredness and fatigue, along with the above-mentioned symptoms.
5. Aconite – To manage anxiety with anxiety and panic attacks
Monkshood is a prominently indicated medicine for controlling anxiety and panic attacks associated with fears. People in need of this feel restless and trembling due to fear and anxiety. Cold sweating occurs. A chain of thoughts continues to run through the mind. The face is hot. Drinking cold water alleviates the problem. Palpitations, numbness and tingling in the limbs or fingers, and fear of death are some other symptoms that can occur during panic attacks.
6. Lac Caninum – Low self-confidence and hopelessness
Lac Caninum is the next beneficial medicine for fear of failure. Those who need this medicine have very poor self-confidence. They start with many tasks but can’t move on to anything. They feel hopeless and think negatively. They think they are of no use at all. They are afraid that they will not be able to perform their duties. In addition to fear of failure, they may also have other fears. These can include the fear of contracting diseases, the fear of snakes or even the fear of becoming angry.
7. Gelsemium – With marked weakness and drowsiness
Gelsemium is also a useful homeopathic medicine to treat cases of performance anxiety. In cases where this medicine is required, the anxiety is intense and accompanied by marked weakness and fatigue. Drowsiness also occurs. There is nervousness, irritability and a tendency to get angry quite easily. Apart from failure, this drug is well indicated for controlling cases of fear of appearing in public, fear of losing control and fear of falling. It is also recommended for anxiety. Concerns about health, about the present and the future are prominent among various fears.