Autonomy in anxiety

Summary

The current descriptions of the causation of anxiety states are inadequate to account for an appreciable number. Among this number, are the anxiety states arising in scrupulous, conscientious, meticulous persons who have been subjected to prolonged stress.

Under such circumstances, an increased reactivity of the tensional-anxiety mechanisms becomes established. This is maintained by the ordinary demands of living, even after the primary causative stress has been terminated.

An autonomous mechanism is set up; treatment directed to the primary cause becomes ineffective. Control can be achieved by (1) reduction of the general tensional level; (2) prevention of the evocation of the anxiety response; (3) damping of the anxiety response.