There is certainty when An individual has no doubt Regarding the validity of a proposition or knowledge.
It results A fundamental pillar for psychological well -beingsince the mind needs this resource for its internal security regarding the facts, to the environment, to the relationships and the future that allows the individual to live without constant fear of chaos or the unknown.
This security facilitates decision -making and organizes the subjective reality of each person.
Many factors can influence to lose certainty. Thus, in a world saturated with contradictory information and polarized opinions, Trying to know the truth can generate uncertaintywhich can significantly affect mental health.
Certainty vs. uncertainty
Currently, Social networks and digital media exert a great influence either to have better information that helps be certain or either to increase confusion and uncertainty about what is accurate and what is not.
In healthy people, anxiety increases by uncertainty, especially political, economic and social. More if you have to be constantly informed to make quick decisions and precise.
It is even worse in those who already suffer from a previous emotional disorder-as is the generalized anxiety disorder (Tag) or the obsessive-compulsive disorder (TOC)-since both, and for themselves, have a subtle but painful relationship with certainty.
In the tag the mind generates an endless chain of “What if …?”: “And if I get sick?;” What if I have an accident? “. Concern generates an illusory control that unconsciously serves to prepare or prevent a fact from happening.
In Toc the certainty plays a central role: here the problem is not to find absolute certainty but the vivid conviction of the impossibility of reaching it. Classic examples are “I closed the door well?”, “Did I wash my hands enough?”“What if I hurt someone unintentionally?”
There is a marked intolerance to uncertainty, by which it is not supported by not knowing with full security something that revolves in the mind, Without tolerating doubt. Hence the compulsions, for example, to wash your hands many times to calm the doubt that one is contaminated.
In more severe cases, such as who suffers from psychosis (schizophrenia, for example), outside reality is completely altered by delusions – False, persistent and irreducible policies- that are in effect the only valid certainty.
An example is persecutory delusions in which the person feels observed, persecuted or threatened by external forces, organizations or supernatural beings.
This pathological certainty contributes to social isolation and to the deterioration of interpersonal relationships and work, generating greater disconnection in the patient.
As noted at the beginning, it seeks to be certain to live better, But its excess becomes stiffness and transforms into a prison that prevents exploring new alternatives.
On the contrary, uncertainty – in adequate doses – although uncomfortable allows changecreativity, innovation.
Simone de Beauvoir said “accepting uncertainty is not giving up, it is choosing to live with your eyes open.”