45. Anxiety, anguish

45. Anxiety, anguish

There are deeply emotional aspects to anguish. Although it is mechanical in nature and related to neuroscience, it finds expression in the realm of emotions. In anxiety disorders, many triggers combine: worrying social situations activate the response, and the body's biochemistry engages to produce various protective reactions.

The AS is then ready to flee, hide, shout, raise their voice, react physically or even bang on the table. These reactions lead to disabling social dysfunction.

Anxiety is the chronic consequence of anguish and trauma. Biochemically, hormone production induces a state of hypervigilance.

This state affects not only the AS but also their parents, who are likewise traumatised by a succession of incidents day and night. The chronic production of adrenaline proves particularly destructive to the body, causing accelerated ageing. This climate of hypervigilance harms social relationships, both for the AS and for their parents.

Managing anguish and anxiety is a true psychotherapeutic exercise, requiring a profound change in behaviour.

● I am in danger nowhere in the world.

● I am affected only by my own thoughts and feelings.

● I am upset because I feel something that is not there.

● I could feel peace instead.