Anxiety, Avoidance and Courage
Fear, in its most basic form, is protective.
Fear tells us, “do not do [x], because it will cause [y].” We may regard fear as a distinct, immediate response to danger. Fear, in this way, is an essential function meant to ensure our basic survival. Anxiety, while in many ways similar to fear, presents with a few fundamental differences. Whereas fear arises in response to clear and present danger, anxiety is a response to an anticipated, future threat or undesirable scenario.
And yet, the sensory experience of anxiety can feel very similar to, if not nearly identical to fear: when faced with something that triggers anxiety, we may find ourselves in what is referred to as flight, fight, freeze or faun responses. These responses are automatic, and also occur in situations in which clear and present danger (fear) makes itself known.
Similarly, an individual may experience anxiety in the form of sudden, rapid increase in our heart rate, or our body temperature may rise and we may start sweating. Our mind may start racing, or we may experience various forms of dissociation, in which we lose a grounded sense of reality and the world around us or our connection to our body becomes tenuous or dreamlike, distant or unfamiliar. These are just some of the many ways in which anxiety may present symptomologically. For those struggling with chronic anxiety, these symptoms can hinder basic functioning with regards to but not limited to sleep, concentration, executive functioning, and how we operate in social situations. Ultimately, frequent challenges related to anxiety can compromise our enjoyment in every-day activities, and impair our confidence and self-worth.
So, how do we resolve anxiety? And what solutions can therapy offer?
The source(s) of anxiety vary from person to person, so it is essential to work with your therapist to determine the psychological origin from which your particular anxiety arises. Someone whose anxiety is a symptom of PTSD, for instance, will require a different treatment plan than someone with more generalized anxiety not linked to acute or complex trauma.
Consistent across all diagnoses, however, is the role of avoidance. Anxiety and avoidance are psychological siblings. As previously mentioned, anxiety keeps us from engaging with people, places or things that we perceive may cause us anticipated discomfort. The anxiety, itself, too is uncomfortable, so those who have struggled with anxiety for some time may find themselves trying any manner of things to avoid not only the particular anticipated adverse situation, but also the sensation of anxiety, itself. Similarly, for those who suffer from panic attacks, even talking about a previous panic attack may feel risky, lest it trigger another attack.
Yet, the more we abide by the avoidance, the more anxiety is reinforced psychologically and neurologically. This may be why, when left untreated, many people report a worsening of anxiety over time. Anxiety feeds on the avoidance of the activating stimuli, the source of anticipated discomfort. Invariably, treating anxiety requires us to build our tolerance for discomfort and break this anxiety-avoidance cycle.
When an individual steps into therapy, whether for the first time or the fifth, they take a courageous step on the road to profound psychological recovery. Recovery requires courage, courage to face these cycles of avoidance. Luckily, it doesn’t require doing so alone. The therapist is there to help you forge a path together. And over time, with proper care and attunement, therapy can provide you lasting resilience to find yourself again, and break free from anxiety.
