Growing up, my dad was always telling me to stay alert. Always on guard. Attacks can come from any where, at any time, using anything. I always assumed this was because he was a) psychologically and physically abused as a child, and b) a cop earlier in life. However, now that I'm in Systema, many of the same concepts are being advocated.
So what's the difference?
Training and perspective. If your martial art is based on fear, aggression, and tension, and you are trained to constantly be on the look out, then...well, yeah, stands to reason your psyche will be damaged over time. And you can feel the tension in someone who's like this - they are often excluded from social circles outside of their specific combat niche. They often come across as intense and curt. This is because such emotions prevent the mind from functioning properly. Limited by tension, the mind can only process finite stimuli. Since this intensity demands utmost attention, violence soon becomes all the practitioner knows.
If, however, you train under duress (exposing yourself to the things that make you feel tension) but concentrate on relaxing, breathing, and paying attention to your partner/opponent and to yourself, the state of mind one eventually attains is altogether different. Not limited by constantly being on the verge of the "fight or flight" response, awareness takes on a relaxed focus. One becomes more in-tune with sensing body language*. And, since it comes from a relaxed state, people from all walks of life will not be put on edge (although they might be if you start talking about your training lol).
So, was my dad right?...Yes and no. Like I said...all about training and perspective.
*A very interesting article going in-depth on the neurology of sensing tension in another person here.
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