闲人

Everything is conditional. That is, things happen when the conditions for them to arise are fulfilled.

In a distressing situation, various conditions lead to the event being experienced as distressful, including but not limited to the following:

Individual history
- past similar experiences
- values, habits, beliefs, instilled throughout the individual's lifespan

Cognitive aspects
- beliefs, thoughts, interpretations of a situation that have not been objectively investigated
- unconstructive worrying without trying to think of solutions

Emotional aspects
- whether one is able to sit with uncomfortable feelings or through the struggle with uncomfortable feelings, evoke secondary emotions (feeling guilty about being angry, for example)
- whether one acknowledges and understands emotions or denies and avoids them
- whether one is able to manage and express emotions in an appropriate manner

Behavioral aspects
- whether one is able to engage in productive actions despite the distress, or become paralyzed and become more distressed because no progress is made
- whether one is willing to try various different actions in order to find the best solution
- whether one is able to engage in constructive behavior despite not having immediate gratification

Coping strategies
- cognitive, emotional or behavioral: whether it actually helps or just provides short term relief over long term cost