Anxiety

Anxiety is a barrier that we frequently have to face when relating to others and when carrying out our work. It is a peculiar state that, once settled in our present circumstance, disturbs our physical, mental and emotional conditions. This is the reason why I want to study this week what anxiety precisely is.

In English the word anxiety has its etymological root in the Latin word anxietas, which means “anguish, grief”. According to Swami Sivananda, anxiety is a state of mind that arises as a concern regarding something that puts us in a state of doubt and uncertainty. This worry about something that makes us doubt shakes our mind with a feeling of anguish that afflicts and oppresses our heart, leaving us emotionally harassed. On the other hand, western science deems anxiety as a physical and psychical state that appears following a perceived threat. An alternative perspective defines anxiety as a state in which the individual is preparing himself for the possibility of a negative event. Holistic homoeopathy, in its turn, defines anxiety as a distressed temper, disturbance that shocks us, nervous tension, and the premonition that something is about to happen.

Sophrology sees anxiety as a behavioural pattern under the form of mental fixation. Bio-energetic, finally, judges anxiety as a feeling of emptiness that ensues our looking outside for something that lies already inside us.

Anxiety manifests itself through somatic, emotional, cognitive, and behavioural effects. It is as if our whole body is preparing itself to face a threat. Its effect are everywhere: our body goes through an increase in the blood pressure and cardiac frequency, our emotional system is extremely sensitised and suffers from fear, our mind, finally, cannot place itself outside the expectations of a future event.

From this major transformation in our inner conditions our ways of communicating and acting are modified. Our ability to focus is seriously damaged; we are prone to bad temper and distress. Moreover, we foresee negative events, thereby helping many times in their actual happening due to our unconscious search of those experiences.

With this knowledge, I can now be more aware of the intense alterations I go through when in a state of anxiety. From this point of greater information I can choose what to do once I identify myself as being under this kind of disturbance.

A spiritual solution tells us about being conscious of the root of anxiety, as well as of our mental power. Just as a sacred warrior, we must be resolved not to allow any space to suffering, whether it comes from imaginary threats or real challenges and changes presented by life, we must advance patiently and full of confidence, ever aware, dealing with the present without worrying about the future.

On the other part we have the contribution of meditation, which tells us about observing without acting, about being a witness of out thoughts, emotions, desires, and needs; to silently listen to them, without repression, to be a spectator, to see how they appear and how the moment after they are gone; just as the water flows in a river.

Psychology that is directed towards genealogy looks for the roots of anxiety in our family tree, in the understanding that this condition is due to our upbringing and the influence of our ancestors. Using the same method as traditional psychology, this discipline looks for the root of the disturbance in order to make us aware of it, regarding this awareness as the first step of the healing process.

Homoeopathy believes there is an appropriate remedy for each person according to the symptoms presented, based on the roots, development, and consequences of the condition. It does not proclaim a general cure for anxiety, but rather individual approaches, for the healing of which, at least experts in the field believe so, it considers itself suitable.

Western academic medicine prescribes anxiolytics as the solution for anxiety, in the belief that a sedated life can help us live with this condition.

Alternative therapies that combine art with psychology recommend to canalise the disturbance through artistic expression, using the energy displayed by anxiety as a source of inspiration for writing, painting, composing, dancing, etc.

Therapies based on herbal remedies prescribe Valeriana, Kava, Hypericum and Passiflora as the four herbs that will help us control our anxiety.

There are still other Eastern methods for anxiety control that involve moxibustion, bleedings, acupuncture, special diets, intra-dermal needles, tai-chi chuan, chi-kung, tuina, and other stretching and breathing exercises.

I believe it is important to broaden our field of knowledge in order to increase our understanding of anxiety, to examine what it is that we go through when in a state of anxiety, and to know about the different options that will help us deal with this condition. Everyone should also know their own mind and body, explore their own emotions and inquire about them, examine and try different options in order to find which is the most suitable for each one of us.

I hope this article might help you in expanding your knowledge about anxiety.

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