Insecurity or self-uncertainty stands in psychology as the antithesis of self-confidence. It is both extremes an emotional-subjective feeling, which is not based on the actual performance of the affected person. Strongly expressed self-uncertainty meets the criteria of anxious-avoidant personality disorder, which is distinguished from anxiety disorders or social phobias and for whose development, in addition to environmental factors, genetic predisposition is considered one of the main causative factors.
What is insecurity?
The term insecurity is used synonymously with self-uncertainty in psychology and embodies the antithesis of self-confidence. The term insecurity is used synonymously with self-uncertainty in psychology and embodies the antithesis of self-assurance. In both cases, it is an emotional-subjective feeling that does not necessarily correspond to actual criteria such as performance in the persons concerned. If insecurity is clearly pronounced, a self-confident-avoidant personality disorder may develop, which is usually associated with inhibitions in communication and fear of criticism, rejection, feelings of inferiority and other negative feelings. The transitions between feelings of insecurity and diagnosable self-insecure-avoidant personality disorder are fluid. A temporary feeling of insecurity during special social situations such as exams, job interviews, and public speaking does not meet the criterion for self-confident-avoidant personality disorder. Accompanying symptoms often observed in such situations are trembling knees, red patches on the face, neck, and décolleté, and cold skin sweat. Differentiating between feelings of insecurity and the presence of self-unconfident-avoidant personality disorder is important with regard to possible therapies.
Function and task
Insecurity, which is almost always accompanied by anxiety, can perform important protective functions. The only prerequisite for this is that uncertainty and anxiety remain within a tolerable range that is considered normal. Fear and insecurity primarily protect against overestimating oneself and against misjudging one’s own abilities and competencies. Particularly in the practice of extreme sports and other potentially dangerous private or professional activities, risks can be assessed as unrealistically low in the absence of uncertainty, so that unexpectedly dangerous and immediately life-threatening situations can occur that could have been avoided. A certain level of anxiety and uncertainty in certain situations activates the sympathetic nervous system, which triggers the release of stress hormones and can lead to improved concentration and physical performance. Short-term stressors release more of the two catecholamines adrenaline and noradrenaline, while long-term stress can be shown to increase glucocorticoids such as cortisone, cortisol, and others. Catecholamines cause a number of physiologically effective changes that optimally program metabolism for flight or attack. Glucocorticoids, on the other hand, lead to increased mobilization of body resources. The increased ability to concentrate promotes creative approaches to solutions in crisis situations. This means that perceived insecurity not only has negative aspects, but even contributes to permanently effective improvements beyond its immediate protective effect. Only in the case of pathologically increased insecurity and anxiety do negative aspects predominate, which in the longer term can result in considerable social isolation of those affected.
Illnesses and complaints
The protective effect and the performance-enhancing aspects can turn into the opposite if insecurity and anxiety are permanently pathologically increased. Permanently elevated stress levels, also known as distress, cause a number of physiological changes in the body that can lead to serious illnesses such as high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, heart attacks, general weakness, and many other problems. Above all, the immune system suffers from continuous stress, resulting in increased susceptibility to infections, for example. Beyond the physiological changes in the body, a permanently elevated level of stress hormones also has considerable effects on the psyche.The ability to concentrate and cognitive performance is affected and decreases. Exhaustion, depression or burnout can develop, with an increased risk of nicotine or alcohol addiction. Approaches to overcoming these problems must take into account the fact that stressors cannot be measured objectively, but that their effects can vary greatly depending on individual stress tolerance. Therefore, it would not be helpful to avoid the stressors that cause the problems, but it is more promising to improve the way stressors are dealt with in such a way that stress management is improved and the concentration of stress hormones is demonstrably lower. In connection with pathologically increased and permanently present insecurity, a self-insecure-avoidant personality disorder can develop. It is characterized by the subjective feeling of insecurity, inferiority and unacceptance, but longing for affection and acceptance. They suffer from a pathologically heightened fear of criticism and rejection and are inhibited in their communication with others. The personality disorder causes sufferers to consciously and unconsciously avoid contact with people who might trigger feelings of rejection and exclusion in them. Their self-esteem is low, and their social contacts are usually limited to a few people who are assumed to pose no danger. Self-insecure-avoidant personality disorder ultimately leads to social isolation and involves strict problem-avoidance behavior. In many ways, the disorder resembles a social phobia, but it is situational and manifests only when faced with special demands, such as exams, job interviews, or public speaking.
