Anxiety - Americanization ( Part 1 )
We are the first generation in recent history to be living with a huge increase in anxiety and depression. Our brains have been radically changed with an over-abundance of information, sound bites, and other distractions. We have created a world where we no longer feel control, or even know what is important to pay attention to.
It is time for us to reclaim our lives back by understanding our brains and what they need in order to function well. We have lost our ways of interacting socially, sitting still and observing the world at large around us - not just on the screens that surround us constantly. We are suffering from a disconnect from the physical world, and putting us at serious risk of losing ourselves to technology and constant stimulation. This is not to say we should abandon technology, but we need to push ourselves back into nature, move our bodies naturally and be in touch with others on a human level.
We can not escape the brain's basic needs; we must meet them. In order for us to be effective in dealing with our stress levels, we must acknowledge the process our brains go through when under duress. Our brain has four main areas: the neocortex, limbic system, the hippocampus and the amygdala. The neocortex (the thinking part of the brain) allows us to have goals and life plans. The limbic system (emotional center) is where we learn about our emotions and how to react in various situations. The hippocampus (short term memory) is what allows us to store new information for future use from immediate environmental stimuli to longer term memories of our past experiences. The amygdala (emotional center) is the area that helps us to access emotional memories from our past - when we were infants, it was our primary area of learning how to feel emotions.
When you are faced with a stressor in your life, your brain goes through two different pathways: a rational or an emotional pathway. The first pathway is the rational pathway which has a direct line to the neocortex and the prefrontal cortex (the thinking center). The second pathway is an emotional pathway that has connections to both the limbic system and the amygdala (the emotional brain). This second path is primal in that it bypasses our neocortex and goes right to our most basic, instinctual responses.
When you are faced with a stressor you must decide which pathway to use based on your situation. The rational pathway allows us to make good decisions, it is the neocortex acting as the executive part of our brain that decides what we need to do in any given situation. In the emotional pathway anger or rage can be triggered, but it bypasses all logic and control and goes straight to the emotions. This is why we become so irrational when stressed. When we are under stress, our rational pathways cut out (not functioning correctly) and we automatically start using the emotional pathway - in order for us to get anything done, we need clarity and a quick response. We are have lost our ability to think rationally in stressful situations because we keep using the emotional pathway.
We need to slow down and use the rational pathway as much as possible, otherwise we will eventually lose touch with it altogether. It is vitally important that people understand that anxiety can be managed in a healthy way. Feeling stressed should not be considered 'normal' - it is only normal if you know how to manage your stress levels and react appropriately in any given situation. It is essential that you learn how to develop strategies for managing your stress levels, regardless of what triggers your anxiety.
The best way to relieve stress is to slow down and watch the world around you. If you have lost your ability to feel your own emotions in real time, it will be difficult for you to learn how to manage your feelings in a healthy way. We must learn how to become present and enjoy life instead of constantly being distracted by our phones or other gadgets. Simple activities that allow us to slow down include taking a walk barefoot, petting an animal or one of the many children we have around us all day long. These simple activities help us regain our senses instead of being lost in a sea of information and distractions on our screens.
We have lost our way of communicating with each other naturally and through simple, real time face-to-face interactions. We have become so disconnected from the physical world around us that we no longer know how to relate to people in a healthy manner. This is at the root of our anxiety and depression. We are afraid that people will not like us or respond in a friendly manner (we worry about being judged). In order to develop trust and healthy relationships we need to go out into the world, interact with others and understand how we can best connect with them.
We have lost our ability to understand what is important and what is not. We are constantly bombarded with more information than we can process, and we are being drawn away from the most important aspects of our lives - slowing down in order to experience the world around us on a deeper level. Our lives are out of balance, we need a way for people to understand that it is truly possible for them to live a different life than they currently do. In order for us to reach our full potential and have a fulfilling life, we need to slow down, pay attention and enjoy the simple things around us.
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Resources:
Iyengar, S., & Lepper, S. (2000). When choice is demotivating: Can one desire too much of a good thing?. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 79(6), 996-1006. doi:10.1037//0022-3514.79.6.996
Reeve, B., Brennan, K. A., Keefe, F. J., & Sanders, K. M.(2003). Interpersonal therapy for social anxiety: A cognitive behavioral analysis of the method. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 71(5), 955-961. doi:10.1037/0022-006X.71.5.955
Spielberger, C., Gorsuch R., Lushene, R., Vagg P..(1970). A State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (Form Y).
Conclusion:
If anxiety is becoming a problem for you, or if you believe you have developed an addiction to your cell phone, please reach out. Seek professional help from a therapist or from one of the many support groups that are available to you. In our society people are often confused about how they feel, but with early intervention and the right tools, anyone can overcome their anxiety and start living life again. If you live in California and would like more information on treatment options in your area, feel free to call our office at 888-553-7226. We work with every patient on an individual basis to create a better life for them through counseling methods that are best suited for their needs and goals.