I think in some cases, it’s a “beat a dog down enough and he’ll stay down”. I don’t know why exactly it happens, but it does happen. I have an aunt in this situation - always has the “what’s the use in trying?” attitude.
I have those feelings when I have to write a check to the IRS to pay my quarterly business taxes, and it's for more than I earned that quarter, because it's based on LAST YEARS earnings.
But, I just look ahead to next year, and know that those checks are going to be pretty darned small then, and Obama is going to be crapping his draws when he gets his quarterly receipts reports, and I suddenly feel better.