What does it mean to be apprehensive and how to change it?

Pandemics, climate change, deteriorating living standards… Can anyone be blamed for being apprehensive in these chaotic times? The truth is that this emotional state is increasingly common among the population, although it is still considered a negative attitude towards life.

Nevertheless, Managing apprehension allows for higher quality daily functioning, as well as improve in the emotional sphere and in social relationships. Therefore, let’s define in detail what it is, where it comes from and how to mitigate it.

What does it mean to be apprehensive?

Apprehension is an emotional state characterized by the fear of suffering harm or illness. It is not a specific phobia, but a state of constant fear that affects decision-making, social relationships and, in general, day-to-day life.

An apprehensive person often feels excessive worry about possibilities; It is fear that something bad will happen to the environment, both to themselves and to their loved ones.

An example of this would be a person who extends the visit to the doctor until the last moment for fear of becoming infected with one of the pathogens found in the health center.

Is apprehension the same as anxiety?

It is easy to confuse apprehension and anxiety, since fear and avoidance of situations that have not yet happened predominate in both. Nevertheless, Their main difference is the severity and the degree of impact they produce on daily life.

Apprehension, although problematic when excessive, is an adaptive response in specific situations. By following its guidance, it is possible to prevent negative scenarios or scenarios that threaten the person’s integrity. Its negative aspect is that sometimes there is a distorted perception of what these dangers are and their seriousness.

However, If apprehension becomes chronic and produces a deterioration in daily life, we speak of an anxiety disorder. In it, situations that cause concern do not pose real danger. Likewise, it brings with it physiological and cognitive symptoms (catastrophic thinking, sweating, difficulty breathing, intense fear, etc.), in addition to the usual avoidance.

Symptoms or traits associated with apprehension

An example of apprehension would be a mother who is afraid that her child will fall in the park. You’ll think about it every time your child asks to go on the swings; She will feel anxious and worried, and she will probably be hypervigilant while the little one goes on the slide.

When you feel fear it is difficult to connect with the rest of the emotions and bodily sensations. Therefore, if you want to know if you are an apprehensive person, pay attention to these signs:

AvoidanceAgitationSweatingNervousnessHypervigilanceSleep disturbancesConcentration problemsFeeling of imminent dangerIncreased heart rate

Reasons why someone becomes apprehensive

The causes of apprehension are numerous and diverse. Some of the most common reasons are the following:

Hypochondria contributes to an emotional state of apprehension and anxiety. People more likely to feel anxiety also have more apprehension in their daily lives. Affective alterations, interpersonal conflicts or difficulties in socializing lead to being apprehensive. Exposure to catastrophic news that, well Although they may be true, they generate irresolvable fear in people, understood as apprehension.

How to stop being an apprehensive person?

Since apprehension is a non-pathological emotional state, there are a series of tips to carry out individually and thus reduce the discomfort it generates. Some of the most useful are the ones we will discuss below.

Stop, breathe and think

Bring your attention to the present moment. Focus on your sensations, identify them and try to mitigate them through breathing. It is possible to manage emotions, even fears, with breathing exercises.

Training in relaxation and mindfulness techniques

In relation to the thing before, Learn to use tools such as diaphragmatic breathing. Practice mindfulness or other types of meditation will also have benefits in this regard.

Focus your efforts on what you can change

You can’t fix climate change, but you can join an environmental organization and have a positive impact on your immediate environment. To stop being someone apprehensive, Concentrate your efforts on what you do have control over.

Find support groups

This resource brings together people with the same discomfort as you and is based on the social support to achieve positive results. Join groups that share this same trait, you will see that you are not alone and in company it will be easier to overcome it.

Try to generate a positive mindset

It is known that an optimistic attitude has a moderate impact on reducing anxiety; This is what a publication from the Inter-American Journal of Psychology. So, try to make this your mindset when faced with apprehension.

The last tip when you are apprehensive: therapy

The line between apprehension and an anxiety disorder is sometimes blurry. That’s why, The best advice you will find here is to go to a professional if the apprehensive discomfort extends over time or becomes very intense.

In therapy, you not only acquire tools to deal with apprehension effectively, but you also resort to cognitive restructuring and changing habits. Therefore, if you see that your worries are beginning to take control of your life, do not hesitate to ask for professional help.

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