That's when the realization hit me. Fear of failure. Overcritical review of work. The need to compare great feats of artistry to one's own drivel. Mostly people working in creative pursuits.
Writers seem particularly susceptible.
Almost every writer is afflicted by this malady at one point in their careers. Some writers turn to other projects for a while, and the breather between writing and editing gives the body and mind enough time for ISS to pass. Some return to their creative pursuit and simply ease past the incubation period with hard work and meditation. Others try to ignore the symptoms. These people get sicker and eventually switch careers.