Psychological Crutches: Do You Use Them to Manage Your Anxiety?

  Do you remember when you were a child and you went to the doctor with your mother? She spoke for you, took care of the demands of the social situation, and you simply looked, listened, and answered the questions that were directly addressed to you. As adults, we tend to believe that we’re capable of taking charge of these and other interactions alone. However, you may not be like that and might require a psychological crutch. This kind of support can become especially necessary in unknown and novel situations with strangers. For example, on the first day of class…