Distorted Reality As A Result Of Anxiety

It is important to clarify that there are two types of anxiety. One of them is adaptive, and its function is to prepare us to deal with danger or a threatening situation. In other words, it is an instinctive and reasonable response that protects us from potential risks. The second type of anxiety is psychological or pathological, and results in us seeing a distorted reality.

It appears even if there is no real risk. Perhaps it is more accurate to say that it arises due to fabricated or exaggerated threats. In a way, it is as if there is a danger, but the person can not determine what it is or what it consists of.

People express anxiety in many ways. What these manifestations have in common is the fact that the feeling of fear or apprehension is very exaggerated. Sometimes it leads to constant brooding; other times it causes panic attacks or isolation.

In the case of pathological anxiety, a distorted perception of the world arises – we begin to see a distorted reality. This is because you only select or pay attention to pieces of reality that confirm why you feel threatened. This information is in turn misinterpreted and easier to remember than other data.

For example, someone who feels anxious in their relationship with others will tend to see only specific traits in them. She will also pay close attention to actions that may be an expression of rejection, no matter how small they are.

Silence can be interpreted as an indication that she is wrong or that the other person does not want to talk to her. However, she will not pay attention to signs of acceptance or interest, unless they are very obvious.

Someone who suffers from anxiety will see many “fatal signs” in nature. A colorful sunrise can therefore be interpreted as “something will happen”. A moon that is too bright can generate fear, but the person does not know why.

Psychologist Michael Eysenck created a conceptual proposal called “the quadruple theory”. It defines the main ways in which someone with anxiety creates new perceptions. All of these factors suggest cognitive bias.

The four factors are:

• Perception bias towards a specific stimulus:  this occurs when anxiety is directed towards a specific object or a very precise aspect of reality. This leads to so-called phobias. If anxiety involves actual behavior, it is called social phobia.
• Perception bias towards the body and its physiological response:  this occurs when the body itself is the battlefield. Its functions and responses are believed to be signs of danger. This leads to an anxiety disorder.
• Perception bias towards one’s own thinking and personal ideas:  in this case, risks or threats are perceived in one’s own mind. This leads to obsessive-compulsive disorder.
• A generally distorted reality:  this applies to cases where anxiety is directed at all listed factors: specific aspects, the behavior itself, the body and the mind. When this happens it is called generalized anxiety disorder.

All these manifestations of anxiety make us see a distorted reality based on our biased thoughts. There is strong opposition or impossibility on their part to absorb information that questions the validity of these views.

All anxiety disorders can be treated, even in the most severe cases. Therapy to overcome the symptoms will help the person focus their attention on other aspects of reality that they otherwise omit.

It is possible to learn to give a broader meaning to what we perceive. Sometimes we just need someone to help us understand  that a strong beating heart does not mean that we are having a heart attack. It is also normal that not everyone likes us, but that does not mean that they plan to freeze us out.

All forms of anxiety are important. When our strategy is to ignore the symptoms  , they tend to grow and invade our personality. From this point of view, the best option is to seek help at an early stage, so that we can deal with this condition.