You have a promotion in sight, a dream move or a professional turn to take … but instead of exulting or acting, you find yourself frozen. As if each step forward would trigger an internal alarm. If this reaction seems familiar to you, you may be suffering from opossum syndrome, a psychological defense mechanism as unexpected as universel. This term, popularized by the personal development coach Yoann Lemeni, is inspired by a well -known behavior of the small marsupial: when he feels in danger, the opossum freezes and makes the dead.
Recognize the signs of opossum syndrome
In his work, Yoann Lemeni identifies four key signals which translate this phenomenon. These signs may seem harmless, but their recurrence draws a real blocking scheme:
- You constantly repeat sentences of the type “I have to change work” Or “I have to get back in hand“, but without ever taking action;
- You have the impression of stagnating for several months or years, with a feeling of disappointment in the face of your journey;
- Known problems persist in your daily life, but you do not face them, as if you were hoping that they disappear alone;
- The future is anxious, even when it seems to have good news.
These reactions do not fall under laziness, but a deeply anchored psychological reflex. “”Opossum syndrome is not a disease, but a avoidance strategy in the face of poorly identified stress“Explains the author.
Cognitive biases that maintain immobility
The human brain loves to save energy. For this, it relies on mental shortcuts called cognitive biases. Problem: some biases prevent you from evolving, especially in the face of important transitions. As part of the opossum syndrome, five biases often come back:
- The loss aversion bias: you anticipate each change as a risk of losing what you have, rather than a potential gain;
- Negativity bias: Critics mark you more than compliments, which affects your self -confidence;
- Autoprophety bias: you repeat yourself “I’m not going to get there“, until it becomes true;
- The bias of self -complainants: when you succeed, it is thanks to you, when you fail, it is the fault of others;
- Confirmation bias: you only remember the information that confirms your fears or your limiting beliefs.
These biases settle down discreetly, but their effect is powerful: they freeze your ability to make serene decisions and act.
How to overcome paralysis in the face of change?
Good news, this syndrome is not irreversible. The first step is to clarify what really blocks you. Too often, we formulate problems in a vague way: “I never have time” Or “I’m too stressed“. On the contrary, you have to go to the heart of the subject.
Start by summarizing the problem in a few precise sentences: what is it concretely? What are the people involved? What facts are objectively verifiable? What solutions have you ever considered? What is your exact role? This questioning makes it possible to bring out what really paralyzes you.
Then do you project: what projects would make you want to act? What would it take for them to become concrete? What do you think prevents you from moving forward? Is it a real obstacle or a constructed fear?
Finally, work on your inner language. As soon as a “Yes, but …“You cross your mind, replace it with a”Yes, and?“Who forces you to look for a solution rather than a brake. With a little practice, this new mental reflex gradually reduces the reflex … to make the dead.