Working with memories reduces the fear of failure
Special psychotherapeutic techniques that allow you to rewrite painful childhood memories effectively reduce the fear of making mistakes and reduce stress levels in adulthood. A study conducted by scientists from SWPS University and the Nenetsky Institute of Experimental Biology has shown that negative childhood experiences — criticism, neglect, or harsh parental reactions to mistakes — form a persistent fear of failure. Adults who have experienced this in childhood often live with the belief that any mistake makes them less worthy in the eyes of others. Scientists have proved that these psychological attitudes can be changed using methods of imaginative (imaginative) therapy.
During the clinical trial, 180 volunteers practiced the technique of rescripting imagination. The essence of the method was to recall a childhood situation related to criticism and mentally introduce a defender into it — for example, the figure of a therapist who rebuffs the offender and supports the child. Creating such an alternative, safe ending to the story allowed the brain to take a fresh look at the old trauma and reduce its impact on current life.
The effectiveness of the method is explained by the mechanism of “prediction error”. When an unexpected turn occurs in the imagination — instead of the usual condemnation, support appears — there is a discrepancy between the expected and real experience. It is this moment of surprise that helps the nervous system to destroy the old painful pattern and replace it with a new, healthier one. Such rewriting makes memories less burdensome and allows a person to feel more confident.
The results of the study showed that the fear of failure and the accompanying feelings of sadness or guilt are significantly reduced and retain this effect six months after classes. In addition, the participants’ physiological response to stress significantly decreased: when they recalled the past, they no longer had a sharp jump in pulse or tension. This proves that our past is not an unchanging scenario, and proper memory management helps us effectively cope with the challenges of the present.
Published
March, 2026
Category
Medicine
Duration of reading
2-3 minutes
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Source
Scientific Journal Frontiers in Psychology. Article: Imagine yourself as a little girl…—efficacy and psychophysiology of imagery techniques targeting adverse autobiographical childhood experiences- multi-arm randomised controlled trial
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