Worry: Would It Help?

[DISCLAIMER]

*Spoilers for Bridge of Spies (2015) contained herein.

Photo credit, property of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures and 20th Century Fox, fair use

I recently re-watched a film, Bridge of Spies (2015)—said to have been based on true events, that I haven’t seen in over a decade. While watching, I thought of a psychoeducational lesson on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). For context, one source states of the film:

In 1957, lawyer James B. Donovan is recruited from his prestigious law firm to defend accused Soviet spy Rudolf Abel. It’s an unenviable task in many respects. Donovan hasn’t practiced criminal law since he was a prosecutor at the Nuremburg trials after World War II.

Also, the strong anti-Communist mood at the time makes him a target from [those] who think Abel should just be executed. Abel is convicted but Donovan convinces the judge to sentence him to prison, rather than execute him, as they may at some point in the future want to swap him for an American spy the Soviets might have in custody.

Just such a scenario comes into play when in 1960 U-2 spy pilot Francis Gary Powers is shot down over Soviet territory and taken prisoner. Donovan is again recruited to act as the intermediary and negotiate swapping Abel for the American, requiring him to travel to East Berlin, crossing the newly built Berlin Wall.

During three separate moments in the film, Donovan draws attention to Abel’s apparent lack of worry, as the American Psychological Association defines this term as “a state of mental distress or agitation due to concern about an impending or anticipated event, threat, or danger.”

For context, I said in Concern vs. Worry, “think of concern as a healthy way to approach challenging situations about which you have no control or exceedingly limited influence, while worry tends to be unhealthy and is correlated with stress, anxiousness, or fear, as you still can’t change the activating events.”

For additional clarity, REBT uses unconditional acceptance (UA) to relieve self-induced suffering. This is accomplished through use of unconditional self-acceptance (USA), unconditional other-acceptance (UOA), and unconditional life-acceptance (ULA).

With my approach to REBT, I incorporate author Stephen Covey’s concepts regarding the circles of control, influence, and concern, as well as an area of no concern. UA maps onto the circle of control (USA), circle of influence (UOA), and circle of concern and area of no concern (ULA).

The circle of control encompasses only oneself, the circle of influence encapsulates elements which may be subject to one’s sway, the circle of concern engrosses most matters one can imagine, and the area of no concern relates to all content which isn’t yet imagined.

With my approach to REBT, I aim for indifference (the quality, state, or fact of being indifferent—marked by a lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern for something). Similarly, in Bridge of Spies, when Donovan visits with an incarcerated Abel, the following dialogue unfolds:

Donovan: Do not talk to anyone else about your case, inside of government or out, except to me – to the extent that you trust me. I have a mandate to serve you. Nobody else does. Quite frankly, everybody else has an interest in sending you to the electric chair.

Abel: All right.

Donovan: You don’t seem alarmed.

Abel: Would it help?

Abel’s response is indicative of UA and indifference. Specifically, the accused man reflected a perspective of Stoicism (the philosophy of the Stoics which advocates healthy indifference to pleasure or pain). This philosophical perspective is interwoven into UA.

Rather than worrying about matters which were beyond his circle of control (USA) or circle of influence (UOA), Abel helpfully inquired as to whether or not worrying about matters in his circle of concern (ULA) would help. The answer was self-evident, as Donovan didn’t reply.

Thus, both men appear to have maintained an indifferent attitude to the matter at hand. Later in the film, Donovan argues Abel’s case with a judge who is hostile to the notion of justice for an accused Soviet spy, as the following dialogue unfolds:

Abel: How did we do?

Donovan: In there? Not too good. Apparently, you’re not an American citizen.

Abel: That’s true.

Donovan: And according to your boss, you’re not a Soviet citizen either.

Abel: Well, the boss isn’t always right, but he’s always the boss.

Donovan: Do you ever worry?

Abel: Would it help?

The answer to Abel’s UA question, one which has an obvious rejoinder, again went unanswered. Then, for a third time in the film, Abel is again presented with an opportunity to express his Stoic narrative. When preparing to conduct a prisoner exchange, the following dialogue unfolds:

Donovan: What do you think’ll happen? When you get home?

Abel: I think…I’ll have a vodka.

Donovan: But will they – Rudolf – is there not the possibility –

Abel: That my people are going to shoot me?

Donovan: Well…yes. You’re not worried?

Abel: Would it help?

For the third and final time, Abel’s question went unanswered. One is left to surmise that worrying about undesirable circumstances doesn’t help much. Now, I invite you to practice Abel’s helpful tool to resolve distress and disturbance, as one REBT source states (page 71):

REBT conceptualizes [distress] as healthy even though it is intense. Other approaches to therapy have as their goal the reduction of the intensity of negative emotions. They take this position because they do not keenly differentiate between healthy negative emotions (distress) and unhealthy negative emotions (disturbance).

Now, REBT keenly distinguishes between healthy distress and unhealthy disturbance. Healthy distress stems from your rational beliefs about a negative activating event, whilst disturbance stems from your irrational beliefs about the same event.

Complete elimination of distress is highly unlikely in an impermanent and uncertain world wherein people conceptually suffer, struggle, and battle with, or merely experience hardship. Still, individuals often make matters worse for themselves by disturbing about such instances.

Undesirable events are virtually inescapable in life. When using rational beliefs about these situations, you may experience healthy distress in the form of mild concern. When using irrational beliefs, you may endure unhealthy disturbance in the form of debilitating worry.

The tool of indifference that I advocate is to stop and ask yourself during unpleasant events” Would it help to worry? In Bridge of Spies, on three separate occasions—including incarceration, injustice, and potential death—Donovan already knew the answer to Abel’s questions. Do you?

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

References:

APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2018, April 19). Agitation. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://dictionary.apa.org/agitation

APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2018, April 19). Worry. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://dictionary.apa.org/worry

Dryden, W. and Neenan, M. (2006). Rational emotive behaviour therapy: 100 key points and techniques. Routledge. Retrieved from https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/4b0e2552-2a18-4998-b44f-3a993148f7ac/downloads/REBT%202.pdf?ver=1627365797554

Garykmcd. (n.d.). Bridge of Spies – Plot. IMDb. Retrieved from https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3682448/plotsummary/

Hollings, D. (2026, February 5). A matter of concern: Loss of a new start. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/a-matter-of-concern-loss-of-a-new-start

Hollings, D. (2026, February 14). Anxiety: Stress don’t affect us, that’s just a part of what living is. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/anxiety-stress-don-t-affect-us-that-s-just-a-part-of-what-living-is

Hollings, D. (2022, May 17). Circle of concern. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/circle-of-concern

Hollings, D. (2024, July 11). Concern and no concern. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/concern-and-no-concern

Hollings, D. (2024, November 23). Concern vs. worry. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/concern-vs-worry

Hollings, D. (2026, March 17). Concern with the here and now. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/concern-with-the-here-and-now

Hollings, D. (2023, April 22). Control. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/control

Hollings, D. (2025, October 3). Control and influence: A soft center and coated in a candy shell. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/control-and-influence-a-soft-center-and-coated-in-a-candy-shell

Hollings, D. (2022, March 15). Disclaimer. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/disclaimer

Hollings, D. (2025, March 12). Distress vs. disturbance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/distress-vs-disturbance

Hollings, D. (2023, September 8). Fair use. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/fair-use

Hollings, D. (2022, November 13). Fear. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/fear

Hollings, D. (2024, May 17). Feeling better vs. getting better. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/feeling-better-vs-getting-better-1

Hollings, D. (2023, October 12). Get better. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/get-better

Hollings, D. (2024, April 13). Goals. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/goals

Hollings, D. (2024, August 9). Healthy concern. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/healthy-concern

Hollings, D. (n.d.). Hollings Therapy, LLC [Official website]. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/

Hollings, D. (2025, October 4). Ignorance about the Americans. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/ignorance-about-the-americas

Hollings, D. (2024, October 21). Impermanence and uncertainty. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/impermanence-and-uncertainty

Hollings, D. (2025, July 23). Indifference: How much more relaxed would you be? Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/indifference-how-much-more-relaxed-would-you-be

Hollings, D. (2024, January 2). Interests and goals. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/interests-and-goals

Hollings, D. (2023, September 19). Life coaching. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/life-coaching

Hollings, D. (2024, September 27). My attitude. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/my-attitude

Hollings, D. (2024, November 3). Neurotic anxiety and fear. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/neurotic-anxiety-and-fear

Hollings, D. (2023, April 24). On truth. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/on-truth

Hollings, D. (2025, March 5). Pain. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/pain

Hollings, D. (2024, January 1). Psychoeducation. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychoeducation

Hollings, D. (2024, May 5). Psychotherapist. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychotherapist

Hollings, D. (2022, March 24). Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-emotive-behavior-therapy-rebt

Hollings, D. (2025, August 13). Rational versus irrational thoughts and beliefs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-versus-irrational-thoughts-and-beliefs

Hollings, D. (2024, January 1). Rational vs. irrational. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-vs-irrational

Hollings, D. (2023, February 17). Revisiting the circle of control. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/revisiting-the-circle-of-control

Hollings, D. (2025, January 15). Satisfaction. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/satisfaction

Hollings, D. (2022, October 7). Should, must, and ought. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/should-must-and-ought

Hollings, D. (2025, December 24). Some people advocate walking. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/some-people-advocate-walking

Hollings, D. (2024, April 21). Stoicism. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/stoicism

Hollings, D. (2024, February 27). Suffering, struggling, and battling vs. experiencing. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/suffering-struggling-and-battling-vs-experiencing

Hollings, D. (2023, September 6). The absence of suffering. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/the-absence-of-suffering

Hollings, D. (2022, December 23). The A-C connection. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/the-a-c-connection

Hollings, D. (2022, November 2). The critical A. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/the-critical-a

Hollings, D. (2025, January 2). The distinction between law and justice. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/the-distinction-between-law-and-justice

Hollings, D. (2025, February 28). To try is my goal. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/to-try-is-my-goal

Hollings, D. (2026, March 14). Trolley problem: Distress or disturbance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/trolley-problem-distress-or-disturbance

Hollings, D. (2025, July 3). Trust the process. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/trust-the-process

Hollings, D. (2024, October 20). Unconditional acceptance redux. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/unconditional-acceptance-redux

Hollings, D. (2023, March 11). Unconditional life-acceptance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/unconditional-life-acceptance

Hollings, D. (2023, February 25). Unconditional other-acceptance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/unconditional-other-acceptance

Hollings, D. (2023, March 1). Unconditional self-acceptance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/unconditional-self-acceptance

Hollings, D. (2024, March 18). Unhealthy vs. healthy negative emotions. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/unhealthy-vs-healthy-negative-emotions

Kettler, S. (2020, June 11). The true story of ‘Bridge of Spies’. Biography. Retrieved from https://www.biography.com/movies-tv/bridge-of-spies-true-story

Wikipedia. (n.d.). 1960 U-2 incident. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1960_U-2_incident

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Berlin Wall. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin_Wall

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Bridge of Spies (film). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_of_Spies_(film)

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Nuremberg trials. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuremberg_trials

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Stephen Covey. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Covey

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Stoicism. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoicism

Yarn. (n.d.). Would it help? [Image]. Retrieved from https://memes.yarn.co/yarn-clip/15db6f8c-3ed8-4da0-8404-fc5ec9d47b0c/gif