Anxiety: a lady clad in a bright red dress.

By Dr. Marcel de Roos, Psychologist PhD, the Netherlands.
www.marcelderoos.com

Anxiety is a useful defense mechanism that warns us against perceived danger. It brings our body systems in a state of alert by means of certain hormones (cortisol and adrenaline) in order to respond to a threat or fear. Physical reactions like increased heart rate, faster breathing and more muscle tension makes it possible to react quicker.

Some people are anxious while there is no real danger, but it’s hard for them to ignore it or to let go of the anxiety. When the anxiety gets so involved in a person’s life and situations are being avoided then it’s important to seek professional help.

Anxiety has to do with fear of losing control. This can be in different areas like fear of losing control over your body, your thoughts, your behaviour (fear to fail, fear to disappoint others, fear to behave in a certain way, etc.), your environment (fear for judgement of others, fear to faint, fear of a medical illness, etc.).

Anxiety often starts with noticing that you’re tense. This tension can lead to feelings of helplessness and fear. Then thoughts of being incapable or inadequate starts to pop up. By avoiding fear-provoking situations the anxiety will diminish in the short term but in the long term the avoidance will generate a tense feeling which will make the anxiety permanent.

Anxiety complaints have a tendency to be self-perpetuating because they influence your perception, interpretation and memory. It’s called selective interpretation because you focus on what makes you anxious (for example palpitations, illnesses, crowds). With selective interpretation, experiences that confirm your anxiety are acknowledged and stored and other contradictory ones (that give an alternative explanation to the anxiety) are ignored.

There is no proof that anxiety is genetic. If more family members are suffering from anxiety, then most likely it has to with the dynamics of the family environment.

For treatment the preferred method is psychotherapy. In some selected cases (like panic attacks) this can be combined with (short term!) medication. Medication at best can only suppress emotions but it doesn’t solve the problem. There is also the danger of dependency and possible side-effects. Psychotherapy looks for root causes and real solutions; it is not a quick and superficial fix.

There is no one size fits all. As always it is essential to see the person in whole. Listen to his story, not only to the symptoms. Each person is different.

In my professional experience, people with an anxiety disorder have REASONS to feel anxious. Usually the fear is the expression of a complex hurtful past and often combined with depression. It is about feelings of anxiety, and how to overcome them. In therapy the essence should be to look for the tale behind the anxiety. Each fear tells an enciphered but real story.

Anxiety is like a lady clad in a bright red dress. Don’t send her away out of fear of the colour but invite her for some tea or wine, and try to listen to her story. Only then it is possible to find emotional balance.

You’re suffering from your survival mechanism that points you to the wrong path by directing your attention to the present, instead of your past where the cause of the danger lies. In therapy you’ll be learning to face your original feelings and the hurt that accompanies them.

Some simple tips are to practice muscle relaxation techniques and breathing exercises in order to calm you down when you feel the anxiety growing. One of the most important tips is to continue facing your fear. Don’t avoid difficult situations, it may give you relief in the short term, but in the long run the fear will only become bigger. Make a list of social situations (ranging from easy to difficult) and practice them starting with the less fearful ones. When the anxiety gets too overwhelming then it’s wise to talk with a professional psychologist.