Emotional Insecurity – When Anxiety Takes Over

Anxiety is a paralyzing emotional state. When you feel this, you are worried, afraid and feel threatened for no specific reason. You have a sense of existential emptiness, you feel a weight on your shoulders that makes it hard to breathe. This psychological state is very common today. While it is most commonly associated with panic disorder, there are other incentives worth discussing. 

You’ve probably told someone before that you were feeling “anxious.” This word is familiar to everyone, especially to teenagers. When you hear it, you usually know exactly what the other person means. However, from a clinical point of view, this psychological experience is quite complex.

What is the exact origin of this emotion? Is it the same as anxiety or something more? From a psychological point of view, there is always some confusion and disagreement about the definition. Philosophers, on the other hand, have always been very clear about the meaning of this term. The word anxiety is German and has a very specific definition. It is something that causes distress and suffering.

Take Søren Kierkegaard for example. He believed that this emotion is the recognition that humans are finite. Therefore, when we think about the (limited) future possibilities, we feel dizzy and scared. Jean-Paul Sartre, on the other hand, explained that anxiety comes from being aware that everything that happens to you is the result of your own decisions. You are the one who is really responsible for your happiness or unhappiness.

What exactly is a feeling of fear and what are its characteristics?

Anxiety and anxiety share the same ‘guest’: fear. That said, in the case of anxiety, there are some underlying characteristics that make up this suffering that is so common at certain stages of life.

• A feeling of fear is being a bank for something indefinable.
• Having feelings of anxiety means anticipating irrational things and only thinking about future dangers.
• The present is empty. If you have anxiety, the present paralyzes you. You only think about what’s to come. Tomorrow is uncomfortable and scary.
• This psychological experience also has physical symptoms. You may feel like you can’t breathe or have chest pain or palpitations.

You can immediately see that it is quite difficult to distinguish a feeling of fear from simple anxiety. In fact, the primary symptom of panic disorder is a feeling of fear. Therefore, it is very common for a person to have symptoms of both. Anxiety can trigger a panic attack. These are complex clinical cases and the only way to really make a diagnosis is to evaluate each patient individually.

Why do we experience feelings of fear?

Philosophers explain that people experience fear when they become aware of their existence. We feel fear when we realize we won’t be here forever. The realization that our decisions affect us and that we cannot stop the passage of time also causes anxiety. This uncertainty is very present today for a very simple reason. If there is one thing that is true of modern society, it is that we cannot know what will happen tomorrow. Work, economy, relationships… Everything can change overnight. All this uncertainty leads to anxiety.

So it is important to clarify that experiencing anxiety is completely normal. There’s nothing pathological about it, it doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you. That is, as long as the feelings of anxiety are adaptable. In other words, the anxieties you experience help you think about your situation so you can make a decision about the future. This is what Sigmund Freud described as ‘realistic fear’.

What are the causes?

Now the flip side of that is maladaptive fear. This is what we described earlier. Here are the causes:

• Personal crises that are not handled well. These are emotional states that become chronic. They can also be combined with other conditions, such as depression.
• Not being able to handle certain situations. Things like unemployment, breakups, or an upcoming change can trigger this type of anxiety.
• Problems with relationships: cheating, disagreements, etc.
• The genetic factor is also important.  Often we feel fear for no apparent reason. The explanation may be genetic. For example, we know that there are certain people who are prone to adrenaline rushes or dips in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). All of these neurochemical changes can also cause anxiety.

People who experience anxiety crises can usually experience adequate relief with therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, as well as techniques such as mindfulness are some of the most helpful strategies. In more severe cases, the individual may require medication.