Let’s all breathe a sigh of relief it’s not this kind of fad.
Big hair and pinch rolled jeans from the 80’s? Bell bottoms? Body piercing? No way! Sure, these were fads (and thank goodness they were), but it isn’t what we’re talking about here. This “fad” stands for fear, anxiety, and depression.
I recently attended a seminar focused on legal issues in the workplace and heard the presenter, a Ph.D. psychologist who is a nationally recognized expert on workplace violence, workplace bullying, conflict resolution, and cultural diversity, explain the concept of F.A.D. I’ve provided definitions below for each part of the acronym:
Fear – noun – a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc.
Anxiety – noun – distress or uneasiness of mind caused by fear of danger or misfortune
Depression – noun– a condition of general emotional dejection and withdrawal; sadness greater and more prolonged than that warranted by any objective reason.
He pointed out that fear is a real and eminent threat, whereas anxiety is more so perceived and not yet real. He continued to explain how F.A.D. negatively impacts the workplace through things like lost productivity, increase in absenteeism, and can lead to negative and destructive behaviors such as anger. As the stats he presented reaffirmed his key points, many Americans are stricken with any one part, or a combination of, the F.A.D.
So, I started thinking, “Am I living in a state of F.A.D.?” Surely, we all experience one of these at some point in our lifetime. The question is how do you positively cope and overcome?
To share a personal story, it’s been nearly 11 years since my father passed. I can admit to being anxious about a wide range of things in my personal and professional life that I don’t think I would be if he was still here.
Which leads me to a call to action for you… what are you doing to combat these in your daily life whether that is at home or in your workplace? Honor your loss. Talk about it and share your story. Seek help if necessary whether it is for a F.A.D. in your life, or for a fashion fad you’d rather forget.
Would you like to share your story? Please contact us at [email protected]