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Anxiety is defined as “a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.” It is a normal emotion and a healthy reaction to stress. Psychology Today explains that anxiety can present in a variety of ways, one of which is procrastination. Procrastination is defined as “the action of unnecessarily and voluntarily delaying or postponing something despite knowing that there will be negative consequences for doing so.” According to a study on procrastination and coping, 20-25% of adults worldwide are chronic procrastinators, which can be linked to depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and poor study habits. People who procrastinate tend to have high levels of anxiety as well as poor impulse control. A wide breadth of empirical evidence has shown varying degrees of association between anxiety and procrastination with a range of possible explanations, some of which include:

  • Data reveals that people are often more likely to procrastinate while they are anxious, or to procrastinate on tasks that make them anxious. 
  • Through clinical observations, some researchers asserted that, anxiety surrounding the fear of failure is the cause of increased procrastination. This can lead to a vicious cycle, as procrastination can cause increased stress and anxiety levels.
  • Other experts have suggested that individuals look to escape a task to relieve negative feelings such as anxiety. 
  • One study found that participants with higher levels of anxiety engaged in more negative repetitive thought, which likely contributed to procrastinatory due to a preoccupation.
  • Alternatively, some researchers suggest that anxiety may reduce procrastination, and that the relationship between anxiety and procrastination is moderated by impulsivity.

Anxiety is not only a potential cause of procrastination, but also a potential consequence of it, meaning that procrastination can make people feel anxious or exacerbate existing anxiety. However, it is important to note that the relationship between these phenomena is complex. The influence of anxiety on procrastination can be minimized through various factors, such as people’s self-efficacy and mindfulness. High self-efficacy can serve as a resilience factor that protects against the effects of anxiety on procrastination. Results from several decades of empirical work investigating the causes of and correlations to procrastination strongly indicate that anxiety is positively associated with procrastination.

Treatment In Calabasas

Calabasas is a city in California. It is a well-known suburb of Los Angeles, located west of the San Fernando Valley and north of the Santa Monica Mountains. Over the past decade, the city of Calabasas has grown in its reputation for luxury as well as for privacy which makes it a hidden gem for residential living for society’s elite, and one of the most desirable destinations in Los Angeles County. It is also home to a plethora of highly qualified mental health clinicians providing an array of therapeutic services and treatment options. 

The information above is provided for the use of informational purposes only. The above content is not to be substituted for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, as in no way is it intended as an attempt to practice medicine, give specific medical advice, including, without limitation, advice concerning the topic of mental health. As such, please do not use any material provided above to disregard professional advice or delay seeking treatment.

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