What Are Mental Repetitions and the Psychodynamics of Anxiety?
Mental repetitions are thought patterns or behavior types that individuals frequently repeat. These repetitions generally reflect cognitive processes that can lead to anxiety in response to a specific situation. According to psychodynamic theory, anxiety is closely related to the individual's inner conflicts and repressed emotions. Mental repetitions can emerge as expressions of these inner conflicts and can profoundly affect an individual's life.
The Psychodynamic Foundations of Anxiety
Anxiety can be defined as a reaction given by the individual in response to danger. However, from a psychodynamic perspective, anxiety is related not only to environmental stress factors but also to the conflicts in the individual's subconscious. According to Sigmund Freud's theory, anxiety arises during the individual's awareness of suppressed desires and emotions.
- Repression: Repressed emotions are fears and desires that the individual hides without being aware. When these emotions accumulate in the subconscious, they lead to the emergence of anxiety.
- Inner Conflict: Conflicts in personality structure create tension between who the individual is and social norms. This tension becomes a factor that increases anxiety.
The Impact of Mental Repetitions on Anxiety
Mental repetitions are an important factor affecting individuals' anxiety levels. The repetition of thoughts can create a cycle that increases anxiety.
- Negative Thought Patterns: When individuals repeat negative thoughts in their minds, these thoughts can trigger anxiety. For example, an individual experiencing performance anxiety may repeatedly think about failing.
- Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: Mental repetitions can function like a prophecy; that is, the individual can feed their own anxieties to reach a higher level of anxiety. This situation leads to behaviors stemming from anxiety.
Practical Recommendations
Various techniques can be applied to cope with anxiety and reduce the negative effects of mental repetitions:
- Mindfulness Training: Becoming aware of the thoughts in the mind can help individuals change their relationship with these thoughts. Mindfulness allows an understanding and control of mental repetitions.
- Psychological Education: Being informed about the nature of anxiety and mental repetitions encourages individuals to think about these processes.
- Therapeutic Techniques: Individual or group therapies provide effective methods for addressing anxiety. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) may be helpful in overcoming mental repetitions.
Conclusion
The relationship between mental repetitions and anxiety is a complex process that reflects the individual's inner world. Psychodynamic theory provides an important framework for understanding this relationship. Various psychological approaches and strategies can be used to manage mental repetitions and overcome anxiety.
