In the context in which in our lives we are going through difficult situations or entering another stage of life, anxiety may occur. And panic attacks can also come “together with it”.

Among the symptoms of generalized anxiety are: excessive anxiety and worry (anxious anticipation), present most days, for at least 6 months, about some events or activities (such as performance at work or school); difficulties in managing concern; anxiety and worry are associated with three (or more) of the following six symptoms (of which at least a few symptoms were present most days, in the last 6 months) – restlessness or a feeling of impatience or being on the edge; fatigue; difficulty concentrating or feeling of emptying the mind, irritability, muscle tension, sleep disturbances (difficulty falling asleep or maintaining sleep, or restlessness, unsatisfactory sleep). If you notice that such symptoms appear, it is important to go to a specialist for a correct evaluation!

What role does anxiety play in our lives? Could it be that in some situations they protect us from something specific? It can be an unconscious postponement of the real confrontation with something for which you are not yet ready and then you find subterfuge – such as anxiety and panic attacks, which you have to deal with! To which you need to refocus your attention! In this way you self-deceive and, at the same time, you have an important benefit: who could need something from you or to take care of something else, when you are so upset by anxiety?

And we can mention some concrete examples in which anxiety can be constituted as a solution – surrogate for various aspects considered difficult to manage:

• leaving the parental home
• not undertaking the gender-role identity
• making important decisions

As long as you are scared of something, it can happen that instead of admitting it, you unconsciously position yourself as a victim of anxiety, expecting compassion and help from others!

Anxiety can exist in our lives also because we had a role model in the family – a significant person for us (mom, dad, a grandmother, etc.) and we took over this model. Or maybe it’s because in our personal life history we have gone through difficult situations and we have gradually learned to “protect ourselves” through anxiety.

An experienced psychologist can guide you to go beyond appearances and discover the meanings of anxiety and panic attacks in your life. Then follows the work in the direction of reducing / eliminating anxiety, finding the right solutions for you. In this way, with patience and perseverance, you can not only overcome difficult moments, but you can also enrich your life by going through not a process of your recovery, but a process of your becoming!