Dysfunctional positive affect: Procrastination

One way of thinking about procrastination is to regard it as a form of addiction; an addiction to putting things off. As with other addictive patterns, the client will choose a short-term gratification (i.e., of delay and avoidance) instead of going for a long-term result that might, in the end, be more satisfying or empowering. As with other addictions, a procrastinating client often suffers ongoing erosion of her self-esteem. Quite often, procrastination may function as a defense—as a way to avoid other life issues that are disturbing. With this type of problem, we can use a variation of Popky's (1994) addiction protocol, and the level of urge to avoid (LoUA) procedure. In order to begin this procedure, it is necessary for the therapist to know the specific times when the client has a problem with procrastination. It is also important to use resource installation procedures to help the client develop an image of the benefits (including more comfortable physical sensations) that would come with being free of this problem.

Book Section

English

Jim Knipe

Knipe, J. (2010). Dysfunctional positive affect: Procrastination. In M. Luber (Ed.), Eye movement desensitization (EMDR) scripted protocols: Special populations (pp. 453-458). New York, NY: Springer Publishing Co