Pathological personality traits: the anxious, a personality disorder or an adaptive response?

My Psychologist Is Me: A Space To Learn, Grow And Heal From Within.

Tips, reflections and resources on how to take care of your mental health, improve your self-esteem and develop your potential. I do not intend to replace professional help, but rather to complement it and motivate you to be your own psychologist. I hope you like it and that it inspires you.

Anxiety is a human adaptive response to real or perceived dangers, which predisposes us to react quickly at the slightest sign that it is necessary to do so. It is an alarm signal that can be proportional to the stimulus that triggers it, or that can generate psychopathologies and health complications.

Anxiety disorders are a group of psychological conditions characterized by intense, excessive, and persistent anxiety and fear about everyday situations. Anxiety disorders often involve repeated episodes of sudden feelings of intense anxiety and fear or terror that reach a peak within a matter of minutes (panic attacks). These feelings of anxiety and panic interfere with daily activities, are difficult to control, are disproportionate to the actual danger, and can last for a long time.

Anxiety disorders can affect different areas of life, such as work, social relationships, physical and mental health, etc. There are several types of anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, specific phobias, and separation anxiety disorder. Each one has its own characteristics and diagnostic criteria.

Not all cases of anxiety are pathological. Sometimes anxiety can be useful to motivate us to face difficult situations or to prepare us for a challenge. The important thing is to know how to regulate anxiety when it becomes excessive or irrational, and to seek professional help if necessary.