Anticipatory anxiety: causes, symptoms and therapy

In situations of danger or stress, we need to trust that our body will respond to the challenge. Imagine, for example, the situation of running away from a beast: if a tiger is chasing you, you better have all the collaboration of your body to have the senses, muscles and reflexes more active and effective than never.

We can say the same thing when it comes to suddenly dodging a car or avoiding any unexpected dangers in modern life. Fortunately, our body has tools to 'activate the alarm', and in fact, another virtue is the ability of our mind to anticipate events, especially if they involve danger. It is a skill that allows us to plan, organize and, ultimately, be prepared for what (perhaps) is coming. This is valid both for immediate physiological reactions and for long-term planning.

Those two capacities are imperative for survival, even in our seemingly calm and orderly society. However, there is a type of psychological alteration in which these tools become a problem: the so-called anticipatory or anticipatory anxiety.

• Related article: "The 7 types of anxiety (causes and symptoms)"

What is anticipatory anxiety?

Have you ever felt a great panic before speaking in public? So what you have experienced is an example of anticipatory anxiety, with a picture of great nervousness and panic. We talk about the feeling that feels minutes before having to speak in public, when we even think that the worst can happen. This type of anxiety is shown when suffering pathological panic attacks at the prospect of future events.

These events, which have not occurred and from which there are no reasonable grounds to infer that they will, are catastrophic and highly negative in nature.

How does this stress disorder appear?

Life is uncertain, but there are certain statistical ranges that minimize the chances of the most dire events occurring. Fearing to leave home because you could be struck by lightning is something that ignores all probability that that actually happens. Normally, life does not go by in jumps where you go from bad to much worse.

Anticipation anxiety disorder is related to the difficulty of coming to terms with that idea. Those affected suffer from certain intolerance of uncertainty and the need to have everything around them under control. For this reason, it frequently occurs in people with a high degree of demand on their own performance.

Extreme unfounded fear can occur without prior motivation, but it is very common for these people to show anticipatory anxiety attacks as a consequence of previous trauma. If you have suffered a specific anxiety attack, you may fear any situation in which you think you are exposing yourself to conditions like those of that occasion.

You too it can happen if you have a phobia. For example, if you suffer phobia Snakes may feel anticipatory anxiety at the idea of ​​visiting a zoo. Imagine that you see snakes, you experience a picture of anxiety and your body reacts with the symptoms of terror. Your catastrophic outlook won't change even if there is no assurance of seeing a snake.

• Related article: "Psychic trauma: concept, realities... and some myths"

Symptoms of anticipation anxiety

Extreme stress has consequences on the body. Taking the body to the limit, with the corresponding hormonal torrent, is necessary in situations of real danger. However, continued exposure to these physiological conditions ends up being harmful to our body and our psyche.

With the anticipation, fear appears in the face of a non-existent threat that is seen with the worst expectations. Catastrophic thoughts appear ("I will not be able to do it well", "There is no solution", "I will look ridiculous", "Everything will go wrong", "The worst will happen", etc.) that start a torrent of panic signals. Your body reacts with physical symptoms such as the following:

• Tachycardia and palpitations.
• Dizziness, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea ...
• Tremors and instability.
• Sweating
• Muscle tension.
• Stuttering and inability to concentrate.
• Headache.

These and other physical symptoms they can be severe enough to be disabling, and they can even be mistaken for the symptoms of a heart attack. Later, after the anxiety attack, you may develop a fear of fear. In other words, you may feel anticipatory anxiety at the prospect of a repeat anxiety attack. It's a snowball.

Treatment

Anticipatory anxiety can be really traumatic and requires professional treatment.

From psychology, cognitive behavioral therapy and the relaxation techniques guided by psychologists have shown their efficacy for bring patients from that terrible future to a controlled present. Having an online psychologist provides facilities that bring therapy closer to home: you can enjoy online therapy with peace of mind in a comfortable and safe environment.

The goal is for that safe environment to grow, so that you can increase your self-confidence until you can face the situations that cause you anticipatory anxiety. It is a journey in time, but with the mind: let's go back from that future to stay in the present.

Bibliographic references:

• Kendler, Kenneth S. (2004). "Major Depression and Generalized Anxiety Disorder". FOCUS.
• Rynn MA, Brawman-Mintzer O. (2004). "Generalized anxiety disorder: acute and chronic treatment". CNS Spectrums. 9 (10): 716–23.
• Seligman ME, Walker EF, Rosenhan DL. Abnormal psychology (2002). New York: W.W. Norton & Company.