Self-control consists of the ability of a person to voluntarily regulate both their behavior and the impulses they may experience. Possessing this quality is essential for people, who, otherwise, could find themselves involved in a whole series of negative consequences. From problems with the law or with their social environment, to cases of addictions, debts and psychological disorders. For all these reasons, people with self-control tend to be praised. However, the truth is that an excess of this can also have harmful effects on the person.
As they say, extremes are not good, something palpable when it comes to self-control, as stated by the American psychologist Thomas R. Lynch. The specialist warns that all attention is focused on cases of low self-control, thus leaving aside another problem: excess self-control. According to him, the reason for this has to do with the positive perception that exists, from the social panorama, towards individuals who strive to achieve perfection and who strive to control their emotions, for example. Admired qualities, but which can cause negative consequences.
Thomas R. Lynch explains that people with a high level of self-control suffer considerable difficulties when adapting to changes and new things. That is, their posture is much more closed when it comes to living experiences or exploring new things. Mainly because they are completely committed to their customs and their way of acting and thinking. This causes them to often feel envious of those who have a more casual and carefree attitude. Since people with high self-control are not able to relax or even have fun in social situations, according to the psychologist.
Another key factor has to do with emotions, since these are completely hidden or even repressed, which will have negative consequences for the mental and emotional health of this type of people. They will not be able to regulate their emotions in a healthy and effective way, so they will have to bear the pressure and state of tension that this causes.
In these cases, the specialist highlights the importance of these individuals seeing a professional. This way they can be subjected to a diagnosis to determine if they are exercising excessive self-control and the appropriate treatment will be determined to reverse this situation. The objective is for them to be able to exercise self-control, but always in a measured and positive way, that does not negatively affect their mental health and that allows them to achieve a state of well-being.
