"Waiting to hear back on that application? Had medical testing completed and fear the results? Afraid your job might be terminated? Pregnant, and worrying what labor and delivery might be like? All these bespeak uncertainty, one of the most uncomfortable emotions for humans (and a close cousin to recalcitrant worry). I remember that first pregnancy. I was a nurse-midwife and had seen the good, the bad,"
"I knew my body had literally been designed to give birth. But on the other hand, I stood under 5 feet tall and had never done this before. My obstetric colleagues looked at me-as wide as I was tall in late pregnancy-and pursed their lips. I swear they were trying not to blurt out, "C-section!" every time I walked down the hall."
Uncertainty about future events—such as awaiting application results, medical test outcomes, job security, or childbirth—triggers intense anxiety because outcomes, timing, and sensations are unknown. Low tolerance for uncertainty leads to repetitive “what if” thinking, catastrophic scenarios, and attempts to control through worry that do not change outcomes. Persistent worry and intolerance of uncertainty can worsen real-world outcomes, including complications related to pregnancy stress. New therapies and techniques aimed at increasing tolerance of uncertainty are demonstrating effectiveness and are becoming more accessible. Building tolerance for unpredictability reduces anxiety, diminishes excessive worry, and improves functioning.
Read at Psychology Today
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