Imagine this: every little mistake or failure doesn’t just bother you, it paralyzes you to the point where you can’t move forward. This is the reality for people suffering from atychiphobia – the fear of failure. While it is natural for many to feel uncomfortable when they do not achieve their goals, for people with this phobia, this fear becomes an insurmountable challenge that affects their daily life and personal growth. But what exactly is atychiphobia and how can we recognize and overcome it?

Atychiphobia manifests as an intense, irrational fear of failure that can affect even the most mundane daily activities. Instead of seeing failure as part of the learning process, people with this phobia point to every mistake as evidence of their own incompetence. This leads to a series of emotional, cognitive and behavioral symptoms that make it difficult to cope with this fear.

What is atychiphobia and how does it manifest itself?

Atychiphobia often begins at an early age, when the child begins to see failure as something that defines his worth. According to a study published in “Advances in Applied Sociology,” many adolescents admit that fear of failure causes them to experience stress, uncertainty, and anxiety. Adults who continue to experience this fear tend to avoid any situation that could lead to failure—whether it’s professional development or personal goals.

Characteristic manifestations of atychiphobia include excessive perfectionism, constant self-criticism and fear of making mistakes. Cognitive distortions are common – people think that any mistake is unforgivable and that they themselves are a failure if they fail at a task. These thoughts often lead to emotional overload, apathy, low self-esteem and fear of external criticism.

Causes of atychiphobia

The development of this irrational fear can be the result of various factors. Some people experience atychiphobia as a result of past negative experiences – be it public humiliation for a mistake or rejection by a loved one. Psychological trauma leaves deep wounds and can cause an individual to associate failure with pain and shame.

Low self-esteem, anxiety disorders, and perfectionism are also common factors that contribute to the development of atychiphobia. In addition, cultural and social expectations of failure-free success can reinforce this fear, especially in competitive environments where failure is stigmatized.

How to deal with atychiphobia?

The first step to overcoming the fear of failure is recognizing the problem and understanding that this fear is common and treatable. It is important to reframe how we perceive failure. Instead of seeing it as the end result, we can see it as a stepping stone to success. Overcoming this fear requires a change in thought patterns – failure is not something that defines us, but something that teaches us and helps us grow.

Therapeutic approaches including cognitive behavioral therapy can be extremely helpful in this process. The therapist can help the sufferer identify and change negative attitudes and develop strategies to deal with anxiety and fear of failure. Additionally, practicing stress management techniques such as meditation and yoga can help reduce anxiety and provide better control over emotions.

Ultimately, atychiphobia can be overcome with time, effort and support. Failure is an inevitable part of life and the greatest lessons often come from mistakes. The important thing is to accept failure as part of the process of personal and professional growth, and to move forward with the confidence that each mistake is just another step on the road to success.

Illustrative Photo by Markus Winkler: https://www.pexels.com/photo/scrabble-letters-spelling-fear-on-a-wooden-table-19902302/

18 October 2024|PRESS RELEASE — Drug trafficking – A criminal group that had set up an international smuggling route for prescription pills was taken down during a large-scale operation coordinated from Eurojust’s headquarters. Romanian, Estonian, Finnish and Serbian authorities, supported by Eurojust and Europol, arrested 47 people and seized over 6 million pills.

The criminal group, which operated throughout Europe, bought pills from other criminal networks in Serbia. The pills, used to treat anxiety, seizures and insomnia, were then hidden in tyres, in cars, which were transported on lorries, and in clothing to be taken to Romania and Estonia. After arriving in Romania or Estonia, the pills were transported on to the Nordic countries. Members of the criminal group in Finland and Norway acted as distributors and sold the pills on the streets. The sale of the pills was highly profitable for the criminal group. The pills seized during the operations done by the national authorities has a market value of approximately EUR 12.5 million.

To dismantle the intricate network of criminals, the Romanian authorities launched an investigation into the group. Given the transnational nature of the criminal group, with activities in Romania, Estonia, Finland, and Serbia, international cooperation between the authorities started, supported by Eurojust and Europol.

A joint investigation team (JIT) was set up at Eurojust between Romanian, Estonian, Finnish and Serbian authorities to collect and exchange information and evidence directly, and carry out joint operations.

To investigate the activity of the criminal group, special investigative techniques such as control delivery and undercover investigator were successfully used by the authorities of all the countries involved. To this end, Eurojust facilitated the coordination and execution in Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia of European Investigation Orders issued by Romania. Following these actions, 39 people were arrested, and more than 4 million prescription pills were seized.

After these measures, the JIT continued their investigations to halt the activities of the criminal group and bring them to justice.

A large-scale international operation on 17 October coordinated from Eurojust’s headquarters in The Hague, led to the arrest of 14 people in Romania, 11 people in Serbia and 1 person in Finland. 41 houses searches were carried out simultaneously in Romania, 19 in Serbia and one in Finland.

Items seized during the operation include large quantities of pills, cash, mobile phones, firearms and luxury cars. 2 houses have been also seized in Romania. Europol facilitated the overall operation by liaising with the operating authorities, processing the available data and deploying two specialists with mobile offices to support the action day.

The following authorities were involved in the actions:

• Romania:
  • Prosecution Office attached to the High Court of Cassation and Justice
  • Directorate for Investigation of Organized Crime and Terrorism
  • Oradea Territorial Office
  • General Inspectorate of the Romanian Police
  • Directorate for Combating Organized Crime
  • Department for Special Operations
  • Central Intelligence Analysis Unit of the Romanian Police;
  • General Inspectorate for Border Police – Bors, Nadlac and Petea Offices
• Estonia:
  • Northern District Prosecutor’s Office
  • Police and Border Guard Board, Northern Prefecture, Crime Bureau, Drug and Organised Crime Unit
• Finland:
  • Prosecution District of Southern Finland
  • Helsinki Police Department and National Prosecution Authority
• Serbia:
  • Public Prosecutor’s Office for Organized Crime
  • Criminal Investigations Directorate
  • Service for Combatting Organized Crime
  • Department for Combating Organized Drug Smuggling

Support includes medical evacuations, mental health services, and integration into EU health programs

In a video message addressed to the Ukrainian Ministry of Health Conference, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Stella Kyriakides, underscored the European Union’s steadfast commitment to support Ukraine “in all respects, and for as long as it takes.” Joined by Ukraine’s Minister of Health, Viktor Liashko, Commissioner Kyriakides highlighted the extensive assistance the EU is providing to bolster Ukraine’s healthcare sector amid ongoing challenges.

Immediate Medical Support and Evacuations

Commissioner Kyriakides announced that, to date, more than 3,500 Ukrainian patients have been transferred to hospitals across the EU and the European Economic Area (EEA) through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. This initiative aims to alleviate the burden on Ukraine‘s healthcare facilities and ensure that patients receive the necessary medical care. “Our support to Ukraine regarding the healthcare sector includes immediate needs like medical evacuation,” she stated.

Enhancing Mental Health and Psychosocial Services

Recognizing the profound psychological impact of the conflict, the Commissioner emphasized the importance of mental health support. The EU has provided financial assistance to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to aid individuals who have fled Ukraine or have been internally displaced. Efforts are also underway to strengthen access to mental health services for children, one of the most vulnerable groups affected by the crisis. “We are helping Ukraine to strengthen access to mental health services for children,” Kyriakides noted.

Rehabilitation Programs and EU Health Integration

The European Union is assisting Ukraine in improving rehabilitation services for wounded civilians and veterans. Ukraine’s inclusion in the EU4Health funding program has opened numerous opportunities for collaboration in the health sector. In June of the previous year, the EU concluded further arrangements for deeper cooperation with the Ministry of Health of Ukraine. “Ukraine’s work with our European Reference Networks enabled additional financial support for the Ukrainian Hub for Rare Diseases at the Children’s Hospital in Kyiv,” the Commissioner highlighted.

Strengthening Emergency Preparedness and Response

Commissioner Kyriakides praised Ukraine’s participation in the board of the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA), emphasizing the importance of joint efforts in health emergency preparedness. In collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe, a project has been launched to enhance Ukraine’s capacity to address chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats. “Together with WHO Europe, we have launched a project to build capacity in Ukraine to address CBRN threats—an area where we must continue to work and prepare together,” she asserted.

Pathway Towards EU Integration

Affirming the European Union’s support for Ukraine’s future within the EU, Commissioner Kyriakides stressed the ongoing efforts to assist Ukrainian authorities in meeting accession requirements. “Ukraine’s alignment with EU standards will improve economic resilience, create new supply chains, and strengthen sectors such as pharmaceuticals,” she stated. The Commissioner underscored that the negotiations will require leadership, determination, and focus, with successful reforms being key to progress. “Getting reforms right will be key. Our support for Ukraine in this process is a given,” she added.

Solidarity and Shared Future

Concluding her message, Commissioner Kyriakides reaffirmed the EU’s profound commitment to supporting Ukraine. “We stand together in your fight for freedom and democracy, and we will work together towards a future of stability, resilience, and partnership,” she declared. She extended her wishes for a fruitful conference discussing the integration of Ukrainian and EU healthcare systems. “I wish you a fruitful day discussing the integration of Ukrainian and EU healthcare,” she said.