Psychology of anxiety: what is it and why do we experience it? - psychology anxiety

Psychology of Anxiety: What Is It and Why Do We Feel It?

Anxiety is one of the most common human experiences, but also one of the most misunderstood. We often confuse it with stress or fear, and although they are related, psychology offers us a more precise definition that is key to learning how to manage it.

From a psychological perspective, anxiety is a future-oriented emotion. It is characterized by a feeling of apprehension, tension, and worry about events or threats that could happen. Think of it as your body and mind's alarm system. Its evolutionary function is to prepare you for potential danger by heightening your senses and putting your body on alert.

The Key Difference From Fear:

• Fear: Is a response to an imminent, real threat. If a lion walks into the room, you feel fear. The threat is here and now.
• Anxiety: Is a response to a perceived, future threat. If you're worried that a lion might walk into the room tomorrow, you feel anxiety.

The problem arises when this alarm system becomes hypersensitive. It goes off too often, too intensely, or in situations that don't pose a real danger. It's like a fire alarm that goes off every time you toast your bread. Learning to recognize that it's a "false alarm" is the first step to regaining control.

In short, anxiety is not your enemy. It's a survival mechanism that, in the modern world, sometimes goes haywire. Understanding its purpose is key to beginning to work with it, rather than fighting it.