Gay Hendricks

Why your brain panics when you succeed |

How do you go from having a great week to standing in the rubble of an argument you started? Let's talk about the Upper Limit Problem. 🛑🧠 Have you ever noticed that right after a big win—like a promotion or a great date night with your wife—you suddenly pick a fight, miss a deadline, or relapse? Psychologist Gay Hendricks calls this the "Upper Limit Problem." Every single one of us has an internal thermostat for how much joy, love, or success we can tolerate. When things get too good, you trip a subconscious wire. Your brain panics and turns on the AC to freeze the room back down to a temperature you're used to. Why do we do this? Cognitive dissonance. If deep down in the basement of your soul you believe you're fundamentally broken, then good things happening to you feel like a scam. It's time to recognize the AC turning on and learn how to reset your thermostat. 💬 Let me know in the comments: What is your brain's favorite way to "turn on the AC" and self-sabotage when things are going well? 👇 If this helped explain your own behavior today, hit that LIKE button and SUBSCRIBE to Sober Psychology for more clinical truths on breaking toxic cycles and healing your core beliefs.