In psychology, anxiety is an emotional state characterised by feelings of unease, tension and worry. It is a perfectly normal emotion that can occur in response to stressors, dangers, or uncertain situations. Here are some important aspects of anxiety in psychology:
Physiological manifestations: increased heart rate, rapid breathing, muscle tension and the release of stress hormones.
Cognitive aspects: troubled thoughts, disturbing fantasies and worries. People may begin to assume the worst outcome of events.
Evolutionary role: in evolutionary terms, anxiety was important as a vigilance mechanism that helped survival by warning of dangers and mobilising for defence.
Individual differences: anxiety levels can vary from person to person. Some people are more prone to anxiety, while others are more resistant to stress.
Pathological anxiety: when anxiety becomes excessive, prolonged and interferes with normal life, it can be considered pathological, requiring psychological help and treatment.
Ways of managing anxiety: meditation, relaxation, psychoanalytic therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy and medicinal treatment.
Anxiety can have both positive and negative aspects. It can help a person to be careful and mobilises when one needs to. But when it is excessive, it can affect mental and physical health. Effective anxiety management can help improve quality of life and mental well-being.
Anxiety can play a significant role in the development of codependent relationships. Codependency is a pathological psychological phenomenon in which one person is highly dependent on another, often sacrificing own needs and interests to meet the needs and desires of the other person. Anxiety can increase this dependence for several reasons:
Worry about the other person’s opinion. People who are prone to codependency may experience anxiety about what the other persons think of them, trying to please them, even if it is to their detriment.
Fear of loss. Anxiety can arise from the fear of losing the relationship with the person on whom the person is codependent. This fear can lead to excessive efforts to maintain the relationship.
Lack of boundaries. Codependency is often associated with a lack of healthy boundaries in relationships. Anxious thoughts can lead to a codependent person willing to compromise and not defend own boundaries.
Constant tension. Frequent anxiety can cause constant tension and stress in a relationship, which increases codependency. To overcome codependent relationships, it is important to become aware of one’s own anxious thoughts and work on developing healthy self-esteem and boundaries in your relationship. It is also helpful to see a psychologist or therapist for professional support.
