When the threat to some part of the body cannot be ignored, tension increases and one becomes anxious.

According to research, people become anxious by the thought of losing a desired possession or object, a loved one, or even a preferred identity. When trying to decrease any feelings of anxiety, one might approach a situation directly or run from a particular type of threat.

Most people automatically use defense mechanisms to deal with unwanted feelings of stress. Typically, they become repressed; or experience denial, rationalization, isolation or sublimation. By repressing information, they push their thoughts or ideas away from consciousness. As a result of repression, ulcers and arthritis are sometimes known to occur.

Denial relates to a person unwillingly accepting any type of event that disturbs the ego. Some adults may believe that certain encounters in life must be dealt with intently; then choosing at a later time to deny an existence can be considered healthy. Strangely as it may sound, some people actually remember events incorrectly. They purposefully choose to hear, see and remember certain events in a way that agrees with their perception or ideologies.

For most people, it isn’t always easy to think rationally when it comes to making decisions. Some choices in life may seem as though we are altering who we are or what we truly believe to be of value or significance. For many, choosing to find acceptable reasons for unacceptable thoughts and actions can prove to be quite difficult. For the most part, people tend to use rationalization to justify their thoughts or actions.

Children and adults alike isolate their thoughts by separating the anxiety-based section of a situation from the psyche. In a comical sense, children are known to pretend to be characters who display ‘good’ and ‘bad’ qualities—but this is a superficial representation and not a realistic image of who they really are, their true identity. Isolation basically becomes a defense mechanism when little emotional reaction remains connected to a certain event.

In a more positive sense, suppressed energy can be released as a process where goals are redirected toward new ventures. This can be perceived as a successful defense mechanism known as sublimation. Consequently, defenses are developed by people as a way for the psyche to protect itself from any type of internal or external tension. The majority of people are thought to be unconsciously driven by emotional forces that are powerful and may serve as a tool for keeping certain memories out of awareness. By doing this, levels of anxiety are decreased and people appear more relaxed and easier to accompany.

Understanding true triggers of stress and how to effectively handle various types of anxiety is crucial to a person’s well-being.

Dr. Sonya Rogers is a certified counselor who lives in Daphne. 

Her column regularly appears in the Daphne Bulletin and Spanish Fort Sun.