Psychological factors that promote anxiety

Certain patterns of thinking and self-perception, such as perfectionism and fragile self-esteem, can create fertile ground for the development and maintenance of anxiety.

These psychological characteristics influence how we interpret situations and our ability to cope with stress.

Perfectionism as an Ally of Anxiety

The need to do everything perfectly, to meet self-imposed or externally perceived expectations impeccably, is one of the great allies of anxiety.

When a person believes that their personal worth depends on reaching very high standards and not making mistakes, every task or situation becomes a potential threat to their self-image.

This constant internal pressure prevents relaxation, enjoyment of processes, and acceptance of one's own limits and the imperfection inherent in life.

Perfectionism often creates a critical inner voice that judges every step and magnifies any failure, no matter how small. whatever it may be.

This constant scrutiny erodes personal confidence and generates a feeling of always being indebted to oneself or to others.

In this scenario of self-demand and fear of error, anxiety finds an ideal environment to grow and manifest, since there is no room for doubt, imperfection or the simple rest of self-evaluation.

Learning to be more compassionate with oneself, to accept mistakes as part of learning and to value real achievements instead of pursuing an unattainable ideal is a key step to reducing anxiety linked to perfectionism.

Fragile Self-Esteem as a Substrate of Anxiety

Fragile or low self-esteem also contributes significantly to vulnerability to anxiety.

When self-esteem is unstable or excessively dependent on external factors (such as the approval of others or achievements), the person lives in constant fear of failing, being rejected or not being considered enough.

This fundamental insecurity makes everyday situations feel more threatening and the ability to cope with stress is diminished.

The person may constantly doubt their own abilities and anticipate negative judgment from others, which fuels worry and anxious activation.

Perfectionism and fragile self-esteem often go hand in hand, creating a vicious circle where self-demand seeks to compensate for insecurity, but the inevitable failures to achieve perfect standards reinforce low self-esteem and, with it, anxiety.

Strengthening a more solid and less conditional self-esteem is, therefore,an important goal in anxiety management.