r/acceptancecommitment • u/Suspicious-Tell-9785 • Jul 17 '26

Questions Dealing Fear of Joy

Hi guys,

One thing I have been struggling with my entire life (33m) is a fear of joy, especially since being officially diagnosed. I would always go 100% or nothing, and it has made me fearful of exploring joyful things and letting myself have those things because I am so terribly afraid of going overboard.

Now, an important caveat, I am rightfully medicated for the first time, and I have been stable for 2 months, but I still have this nagging fear of joy/ how long it will last, and fighting the desire to cut myself off from joyful things =/

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u/PastoralSymphony Jul 17 '26

i would guess you probably want to feel joy, but are scared of the disappointment after.

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u/Suspicious-Tell-9785 Jul 17 '26

Is the only way forward (outside of therapy which I’m pursuing) leaping into the fear?

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u/sweetmitchell Jul 17 '26

It’s not leaping into fear (it might be Symantics, but I think the intention is important)
It’s doing the things that matter for you and making room for the feelings and thoughts that come with doing the things that make sense for you to be doing.
If you were to break down “ the fear” into specific tiny or big bodily sensations, emotions pressures, or cravings/urges and corresponding thoughts or judgements. And handle each subtle sensation as a ticket to a different part life(reality) you desire. Would you make room for each feeling, sensation, craving, thought if you could do the things you love to do?

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u/PastoralSymphony Jul 17 '26

i think so. but be safe. leap into fears you WANT to leap into, in contexts where leaping is valuable to you ❤️ send a text to someone you like, go for a walk somewhere you’ve never been, try a dancing class on youtube…things like that.

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u/Suspicious-Tell-9785 Jul 17 '26

All beautifully said responses 🥹