Anxiety part 2

About 6 to 9 months later, when mother leaves the room or becomes out of sight, we experience that tension, anxiety, fear, loss of “love” or helplessness that our needs are not going to be met because of her separation. This is called separation anxiety. We also began to experience anxiety when we are punished, as we now are afraid of the loss of mother’s love. Receiving punishment compared to receiving “love” are diametrically opposed. In other words, as infants, the basis or the blueprint of helplessness and anxiety have been established. The dynamics of separation anxiety, and loss of love are re-experienced throughout one’s lifetime over and over again.

Psychologically, our job is to deal with all the emotional storms of a lifetime of stress; overcoming obstacles; by employing a variety of strategies or substitute gratifications to master the unpleasantness of anxiety. More often than not, we are unable to identify the root causes of our anxiety. As a result, we distort the real, or underlying reasons for it.

Because it’s difficult, for many, to identify the signs of anxiety, the following physiological symptoms may help per DSM. Dyspnea or difficulty with breathing; palpitations; chest pain or discomfort; choking or smothering sensations; dizziness, vertigo or unsteady feelings; feelings of unreality ;parenthesis or tingling in hands or feet; hot and cold flashes; sweating; faintness; trembling or shaking; fear of dying, going crazy and doing something  uncontrolled during an attack are just a few indicators. Additional psychological components or signs of anxiety include excessive brooding, worry, preoccupation, rumination, anticipation of misfortune to self or others, difficulty in concentrating, and insomnia. This list is far from exhaustive.

With the assistance of our ego, we consciously or unconsciously [not knowing it] experience a threat internally; detect some great external danger; or predict that some calamity is about to happen. Helplessness, then occurs, and with the help of our ego, we spring into action to confront this unbearable or unpleasant situation. In our culture, there are numerous ways of escaping this terrible feeling of anxiety. According to Hans Selye, It could be flight, fight or freeze. Typically with fight, different aspects of aggression, contempt, resentment, or scapegoating follow. On the other hand, we can also rationalize it; deny it; narcotize it; or avoid thoughts, feelings, impulses and situations which might arouse it.

To be continued