The Pre-Neurotic State. Active Emotions

The Ladder of Negative Emotions

When we allow ourselves to be carried away by our negative emotions, we often descend an emotional ladder that takes us from action to paralysis.

This process, known in psychology as the pre-neurotic state, comprises the first stages of a downward emotional spiral that we must learn to identify.

This state is made up of two main steps: anger and frustration, which later give way to fear and anxiety.

First Step. The Anger and Frustration Reaction

Anger and frustration are often the first emotional reaction we experience when an obstacle stands in our way of achieving a goal.

Imagine you are aiming for a promotion and suddenly a colleague presents themselves as direct competition for that same position.

Your initial reaction will probably be one of frustration or even hysteria, feeling that this person is trying to take away something that you consider yours.

At this stage, although the feeling is negative, you still retain an energy that drives you to want to overcome the obstacle.

The Active Nature of Frustration

The most important characteristic of anger and frustration is that they are active emotions that keep you moving.

Even if you feel bad, this energy pushes you to take action, whether it's complaining, making phone calls, or trying harder to prove that you're the best.

These emotions, however unpleasant, do not paralyze you, but rather that motivate you to try to change the situation that makes you uncomfortable.

Second Step: The Fall into Fear and Anxiety

The problem arises when, despite your efforts, you see that the situation does not improve or that the obstacle persists.

When you realize that your frustration does not solve the problem, the active energy of anger begins to transform into something different.

It is at this moment when you fall into the next step of the emotional ladder, which is that of fear and anxiety.

The Paralyzing Effect of Fear

Unlike frustration, fear is not an emotion that drives you to action, but quite the opposite.

The main function of fear is to freeze you, fill you with doubts and paralyze you so that you do not move in any direction.

This state of paralysis leads you to inaction and self-sabotage, since you stop fighting for what you want.

Anxiety, as an extreme expression of fear, leaves you stuck and without the energy to continue with your plans.

The Pre-Neurotic State. A Turning Point

This entire process, from initial frustration to paralysis from fear, is known as the pre-neurotic state.

It is a critical turning point, since it is the moment where you can still recognize what is happening.

If you do not act in this phase, you run the risk of continuing to spiral towards more passive states such as guilt or depression.

Summary

By allowing ourselves to be carried away by negative emotions, we descend an emotional ladder. This process, called the pre-neurotic state, begins with anger and frustration when faced with an obstacle.

Anger and frustration are active emotions that drive action to overcome the problem. If this doesn't work, you fall into fear and anxiety.

Unlike anger, fear paralyzes you into inaction. This pre-neurotic state is a critical turning point for taking action.