Anxiety Disorder, a post-pandemic legacy

A look in the light of Psychoanalysis

Elise B.A Gomes Clinical Psychoanalysis Student, IBPC - Brazilian Institute of Clinical Psychoanalysis

Writing for the 1st Brazilian Innovation Congress - Ideas for a Post-Pandemic World Theme related to the lecture Mental Health: A Look at Psychic Suffering in a Post-Pandemia World. Talk by André Figueira | Psychoanalyst

Anxiety Disorder, a post-pandemic Legacy

A look in the light of Psychoanalysis

Anxiety is a natural and necessary biological phenomenon. In general, it is important for the survival of many animals, including humans. Anxiety is a great ally in times of danger, when the person needs a quick reaction time, so they can improve their state of attention and remain vigilant.

Among other risk factors, it is known that some people who have an inherited neurobiological predisposition (Castillo et al., 2000) may end up developing reactions that become disproportionate to the trigger causing their anxiety symptoms.

Other possible causes can be of an environmental nature, such as financial or family problems, which can generate a high level of stress. These are recognized as powerful triggers of anxiety and fear.

The great insecurity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic further aggravated this situation of fear and anxiety on a global scale. Families losing their main source of income, overcrowded hospitals and a lot of cross-information, which often contributed to the dissemination of so-called "fake news", news that seemed real, but which in fact had no scientific basis .

Currently, several types of anxiety are known, such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder, some of the known phobias, as well as Social Phobia, also Panic Syndrome.

Some of the physical symptoms could be tightness in the chest or excessive sweating. But there are also many emotional reactions such as fear and invasive negative thoughts. Symptoms can often appear together, and it is also possible to be translated as normal reactions, when they appear only sporadically and occasionally.

However, if the same symptoms persist for more than 6 months in daily occurrences, an assessment of this individual's mental health must be carried out. It can be seen, through a psychiatric evaluation, for example, whether or not it will be necessary to start an adequate treatment to manage and even reduce anxiety.

The duration of reactions also characterizes another efficient way of differentiating an individual suffering from normal anxiety, from an individual suffering from Pathological Anxiety Disorder, and these reactions may or may not be related to the stimulus that theoretically would have served as a trigger for the reactions.

Psychological factors may also play a significant role as one of the triggers that initiate anxious reactions in individuals suffering from Anxiety Disorder. Past negative situations can generate anxiety, cultivating in the individual the fear of reliving these bad situations. This is when the cycle of anxiety begins.

The individual who suffers from anxiety becomes constantly afraid of finding possible triggers in their routine. Thus, this individual becomes afraid that the anxiety disorder crisis situation is repeated, which generates even more anxiety.

Such a cycle turns anxiety into a metaphorical “snowball” that represents a condition often disabling, since the condition itself has several of its own symptoms simultaneously playing the role of triggers and symptoms aswell.

These typically anxious reactions can greatly impact the quality of life and the individual's habitual performance in their daily routine, causing them great emotional discomfort, reaching the point of instigating a constant state of alertness, something that can create a situation of severe social isolation.

It is possible that anxiety is considered the evil of the century. The disorder has become the main object of study of the most varied specialists in Psychoanalysis around the world. This psychoanalysis is directly related to the work of its founder Sigmund Freud, neurologist and psychiatrist, who developed his theoretical bases regarding the functioning of human behavior and mind. Its objective is believed to have been to understand the origin of hysteria, neurosis and psychosis (Silva, 2020).

According to Silva (2020), Freud felt that anxiety removes people's control of their own lives, creating a feeling of vulnerability caused by reactions that can occur in the face of stimulating situations. It is an extremely stressful way to live.

As a suggested measure to control anxiety, there are wide varieties of psychiatric medications that can minimize, in some cases, can even eliminate the anxiety symptoms in an increasingly safe and efficient way.

Remember that it is not up to the psychoanalyst to prescribe medication. Currently, there are already a number of medications that must be prescribed by a properly qualified psychiatrist, making it possible to adapt the best viable combination between medication, symptoms and patient.

Such advance in the pharmacological area allows for the minimization of possible adverse actions during treatment. When suffering with less or no adverse reaction, the individual increases his chances of continuing with the treatment for the prescribed time.

For those looking for more natural alternatives, there is a huge variety of medicinal plants capable of producing a calming effect. Even in the case of natural alternatives, follow-up with a qualified physician is essential in all cases.

Chamomile is a powerful example of a plant that is widely known for its calming action on both the digestive and nervous systems. Its aroma, flavor and other properties favor a feeling of harmony and help to calm states of agitation and nervousness caused by anxiety.

Other alternatives like warm baths and massages are also recommended. Just as more holistic, energetic and spiritual approaches can help a lot at these times. Some examples are color therapy, body talk, reiki, runes, among others.

Therapeutic tarot is an excellent self-knowledge and counseling tool

Therapeutic tarot fits like a glove for anxiety conditions, as it is a self-knowledge and counseling tool. Leaving aside traditional approaches to pure divination, the tarot cards provide a bridge between the unconscious and the conscious mind. Through free association, a very wel-known Jungian psychoanalysis principle, the tarot allows the individual to visualize another angle for the situation they are experiencing at that moment.

This tool also helps to reduce the anxiety related to the situation in question, as it makes it possible to access the unconsciouses in order to visualize counseling related to a variety of situations.

color therapy "wands"

The therapeutic effects of the tarot can be increased if the tarot consultation is made associated with other holistic therapies, such as color therapy, with colors that soothe and calm down the mind. Green is one of the colors that best represent a calming tone for thoughts! When it comes to Interior Design, green brings freshness to the home. Just as Blue is also suitable for calming environments. In Interior Design, blue is usually indicated for bedrooms for a deep night's sleep.

Even though it is a natural and necessary biological phenomenon, even being an ally in times of danger, anxiety, when pathological, can significantly reduce the quality of life of individuals who are constantly afraid of finding possible triggers in their routine. Specialized follow-up is extremely important in these cases, to rescue a more pleasurable and productive life.

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CASTILLO, Ana Regina Geciauskas Lage. et al. Transtornos de ansiedade. Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria, 22 (Supl. II), p. 20-3, 2000.Disponível em: <https://www.scielo.br/pdf/rbp/v22s2/3791.pdf>. Acesso em: 21 out. 2020.

SILVA, Maria Bernadete Lima Maia. As contribuições da Psicanálise na Neurometria Funcional no controle da ansiedade. Revista Científica de Neurometria, Ano 4 – Número 6 – abril de 2020. Disponível em:<https://www.neurometria.com.br/article/vol6a1.pdf>. Acesso em: 21 out. 2020.