Worry

Worry refers to the thoughts, images, emotions, and actions of a negative nature in a repetitive, uncontrollable manner that results from a proactive cognitive risk analysis made to avoid or solve anticipated potential threats and their potential consequences.[1]

A depiction of Rama in the Ramayana. Worried about his wife Sita, he is consoled by his brother Lakshmana.

Introduction

A young girl looking worried

Psychologically, worry is part of Perseverative Cognition (a collective term for continuous thinking about negative events in the past or in the future).[2] As an emotion "worry" is experienced from anxiety or concern about a real or imagined issue, often personal issues such as health or finances, or external broader issues such as environmental pollution, social structure or technological change. It is a natural response to anticipated future problems. Excessive worry is a primary diagnostic feature of generalized anxiety disorder. Most people experience short-lived periods of worry in their lives without incident; indeed, a mild amount of worrying have positive effects, if it prompts people to take precautions (e.g., fastening their seat belt or buying insurance) or avoid risky behaviors (e.g., angering dangerous animals, or binge drinking), but with excessive worrisome people they overestimate future dangers in their assessments and in its extremities tend to magnify the situation as a dead end which results stress. Overestimation happens because analytic resources are a combination of external locus of control, personal experience and belief fallacies. Chronically worried individuals are also more likely to lack confidence in their problem solving ability, perceive problems as threats, become easily frustrated when dealing with a problem, and are pessimistic about the outcome of problem-solving efforts.[3]

Seriously anxious people find it difficult to control their worry and typically experience symptoms like restlessness, fatigue, difficulty in concentrating, irritability, muscle tension and sleep disturbance.

Theories

Mental state in terms of challenge level and skill level, according to Csikszentmihalyi's flow model.[4](Click on a fragment of the image to go to the appropriate article)

Avoidance model

The avoidance model of worry (AMW) theorizes that worry is a verbal linguistic, thought based activity, which arises as an attempt to inhibit vivid mental imagery and associated somatic and emotional activation.[5] This inhibition precludes the emotional processing of fear that is theoretically necessary for successful habituation and extinction of feared stimuli.[6] Worry is reinforced as a coping technique due to the fact that most worries never actually occur, leaving the worrier with a feeling of having successfully controlled the feared situation, without the unpleasant sensations associated with exposure.[7]

Cognitive model

This model explains pathological worry to be an interaction between involuntary (bottom-up) processes, such as habitual biases in attention and interpretation favoring threat content, and voluntary (top-down) processes, such as attentional control. Emotional processing biases influence the probability of threat representations into the awareness as intruding negative or positive thoughts. At a pre-conscious level, these processes influence the competition among mental representations in which some correspond to the assertive power of worry with impaired cognitive process and others to the preventive power of worry with attentional control or exhaustive vigilance. The biases determine threatening degree and nature of worry content the worrier attempts to resolve the perceived threat and the redirection of anticipations, responses and coping in such situations.[8]

There are some who respond to mental representations in an uncertain or ambiguous state in regard to the stressful or upsetting event.[9] In this state the worrier is held in a perpetual state of worry. This is because availability of an overwhelming number(maybe 2 or 3, depending upon the worry-prone individual) of possibilities of outcomes which can be generated, it puts the worrier in a threatening crisis and they focus their attentional control voluntarily on the potential negative outcomes, whereas others engage in a constructive problem solving manner and in a benign approach rather than to engage with heightened anticipation on the possible negative outcome.[10]

Philosophical perspectives

Greek thinkers such as stoic philosopher Epictetus and Seneca advised against worry. Albert Ellis, the creator of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, was inspired by the Stoics’ therapeutic ideas.[11]

Religious perspectives

Guido Reni's 17th-century painting of John the Baptist depicts anguish and worry.

The biblical word used in Hebrew for worry (Hebrew: דָּאַג, daag) regards worry as a combined form of fear and sorrow which affects nephesh, the totality of our being. The bible takes a fortitude-strengthening approach regarding worrying e.g. Psalm 94:

In the multitude of my anxieties within me, your comforts delight my soul.[12]

In the New Testament, the Gospel of Matthew encourages:

And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? ... So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.[13]

The Greek word used for worry in Matthew is merimnaō,[14] which means to be anxious about, or to be troubled with cares.

St. Paul writes to the Philippian church, "There is no need to worry"[15] and in the pastoral epistles, 2 Timothy 1:7 emboldens:

For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.

Similarly James 1:2-4 motivates to face trials of any kind with joy, because they produce endurance (strength and courage). Further Saint Peter reveals his understanding of healthy living in Second Peter 1:3,5–7:

We have a sure hope ... this is a cause of great joy for us.[16]

A late Indian spiritual teacher Meher Baba stated that worry is caused by desires and can be overcome through detachment:

Worry is the product of feverish imagination working under the stimulus of desires ... (It) is a necessary resultant of attachment to the past or to the anticipated future, and it always persists in some form or other until the mind is completely detached from everything.[17]

Management

The worry system is activated from exposure to a potential triggering event, traumatic experience or vulnerability, this brings worrisome thoughts and feelings which bring about physical stress reactions and response to avoid worrisome behavior, to ensure allostasis. But under the crisis this activity feeds back into the first worrisome thoughts and feelings which generates and strengthens the vicious worry cycle. Relaxation, risk assessment, worry exposure and behavior prevention have been proven effective in curbing the excessive worry, a chief feature of generalized anxiety disorder.[18] Cognitive behavioral techniques hasn't branched out enough to address the problem holistically but therapy can control or diminish worry.[19]

References

Borkovec TD. (2002). Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice 9, 76–80.
Brosschot JF, Pieper S, Thayer JF (November 2005). "Expanding stress theory: prolonged activation and perseverative cognition". Psychoneuroendocrinology. 30 (10): 1043–1049. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2005.04.008. PMID 15939546. S2CID 21406930.
Bredemeier K, Berenbaum H (January 2008). "Intolerance of uncertainty and perceived threat". Behaviour Research and Therapy. 46 (1): 28–38. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2007.09.006. PMID 17983612.
Csikszentmihalyi M (1997). Finding Flow: The Psychology of Engagement with Everyday Life (1st ed.). New York: Basic Books. p. 31. ISBN 978-0-465-02411-7.
Borkovec TD, Alcaine OM, Behar E (2004). Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Advances in Research and Practice. Guilford Press. pp. 77–108.
Gillihan SJ, Foa EB (2011). Associative Learning and Conditioning Theory. pp. 27–43. doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199735969.003.0017. ISBN 9780199735969.
Behar E, DiMarco ID, Hekler EB, Mohlman J, Staples AM (December 2009). "Current theoretical models of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): conceptual review and treatment implications". Journal of Anxiety Disorders. 23 (8): 1011–1023. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2009.07.006. PMID 19700258.
Hirsch CR, Mathews A (October 2012). "A cognitive model of pathological worry". Behaviour Research and Therapy. 50 (10): 636–646. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2012.06.007. PMC 3444754. PMID 22863541.
Koerner N, Dugas MJ (2006-01-01). "A Cognitive Model of Generalized Anxiety Disorder: the Role of Intolerance of Uncertainty". In Davey GC, Wells A (eds.). Worry and its Psychological Disorders. John Wiley & Sons Ltd. pp. 201–216. doi:10.1002/9780470713143.ch12. ISBN 9780470713143.
Robichaud M (2013-01-01). "Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Targeting Intolerance of Uncertainty". In Simos G, Hofmann SG (eds.). CBT for Anxiety Disorders. John Wiley & Sons Ltd. pp. 57–85. doi:10.1002/9781118330043.ch3. ISBN 9781118330043.
Evans J (29 June 2013). "Anxious? Depressed? Try Greek philosophy". The Telegraph. Retrieved 8 October 2017.
Psalms 94:19
Matthew 6:27,34
"Is Worry a Sin?". Christianity Unfiltered. Retrieved 2019-10-29.
Philippians 4:6 - Jerusalem Bible
"New Revised Standard Version" Retrieved on 2015-01-17
Baba M (1995). Discourses. Vol. 3. Myrtle Beach, S.C., U.S.A.: Sheriar Foundation. pp. 121–122. ISBN 978-1-880619-09-4.
O'Leary TA, Brown TA, Barlow DH (1992). "The efficacy of worry control treatment in generalized anxiety disorder: A multiple baseline analysis.". Meeting of the Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy. Boston.
Zinbarg RE, Barlow DH, Brown TA, Hertz RM (1992). "Cognitive-behavioral approaches to the nature and treatment of anxiety disorders". Annual Review of Psychology. 43: 235–67. doi:10.1146/annurev.ps.43.020192.001315. PMID 1539944.

External links

Current theoretical models of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): Conceptual review and treatment implications

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[1] Borkovec TD. (2002). Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice 9, 76–80.

[BPT2005-2] Brosschot JF, Pieper S, Thayer JF (November 2005). "Expanding stress theory: prolonged activation and perseverative cognition". Psychoneuroendocrinology. 30 (10): 1043–1049. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2005.04.008. PMID 15939546. S2CID 21406930.

[3] Bredemeier K, Berenbaum H (January 2008). "Intolerance of uncertainty and perceived threat". Behaviour Research and Therapy. 46 (1): 28–38. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2007.09.006. PMID 17983612.

[Finding_Flow-4] Csikszentmihalyi M (1997). Finding Flow: The Psychology of Engagement with Everyday Life (1st ed.). New York: Basic Books. p. 31. ISBN 978-0-465-02411-7.

[5] Borkovec TD, Alcaine OM, Behar E (2004). Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Advances in Research and Practice. Guilford Press. pp. 77–108.

[6] Gillihan SJ, Foa EB (2011). Associative Learning and Conditioning Theory. pp. 27–43. doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199735969.003.0017. ISBN 9780199735969.

[7] Behar E, DiMarco ID, Hekler EB, Mohlman J, Staples AM (December 2009). "Current theoretical models of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): conceptual review and treatment implications". Journal of Anxiety Disorders. 23 (8): 1011–1023. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2009.07.006. PMID 19700258.

[8] Hirsch CR, Mathews A (October 2012). "A cognitive model of pathological worry". Behaviour Research and Therapy. 50 (10): 636–646. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2012.06.007. PMC 3444754. PMID 22863541.

[9] Koerner N, Dugas MJ (2006-01-01). "A Cognitive Model of Generalized Anxiety Disorder: the Role of Intolerance of Uncertainty". In Davey GC, Wells A (eds.). Worry and its Psychological Disorders. John Wiley & Sons Ltd. pp. 201–216. doi:10.1002/9780470713143.ch12. ISBN 9780470713143.

[10] Robichaud M (2013-01-01). "Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Targeting Intolerance of Uncertainty". In Simos G, Hofmann SG (eds.). CBT for Anxiety Disorders. John Wiley & Sons Ltd. pp. 57–85. doi:10.1002/9781118330043.ch3. ISBN 9781118330043.

[11] Evans J (29 June 2013). "Anxious? Depressed? Try Greek philosophy". The Telegraph. Retrieved 8 October 2017.

[12] Psalms 94:19

[13] Matthew 6:27,34

[14] "Is Worry a Sin?". Christianity Unfiltered. Retrieved 2019-10-29.

[15] Philippians 4:6 - Jerusalem Bible

[16] "New Revised Standard Version" Retrieved on 2015-01-17

[17] Baba M (1995). Discourses. Vol. 3. Myrtle Beach, S.C., U.S.A.: Sheriar Foundation. pp. 121–122. ISBN 978-1-880619-09-4.

[18] O'Leary TA, Brown TA, Barlow DH (1992). "The efficacy of worry control treatment in generalized anxiety disorder: A multiple baseline analysis.". Meeting of the Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy. Boston.

[Zinbarg_1992-19] Zinbarg RE, Barlow DH, Brown TA, Hertz RM (1992). "Cognitive-behavioral approaches to the nature and treatment of anxiety disorders". Annual Review of Psychology. 43: 235–67. doi:10.1146/annurev.ps.43.020192.001315. PMID 1539944.

Emotions (list)
Emotions	Acceptance Admiration Adoration Aesthetic Affection Agitation Agony Amusement Anger Angst Anguish Annoyance Anticipation Anxiety Apathy Arousal Attraction Awe Boredom Calmness Compassion Confidence Confusion Contempt Contentment Courage Cruelty Curiosity Defeat Depression Desire Disappointment Disgust Distrust Doubt Ecstasy Embarrassment vicarious Empathy Emptiness Enthrallment Enthusiasm Envy Euphoria Excitement Faith Fear Flow Frustration Gratification Gratitude Greed Grief Guilt Happiness Hatred Hiraeth Homesickness Hope Horror Hostility Humiliation Hygge Hysteria Indulgence Infatuation Insecurity Inspiration Interest Irritation Isolation Jealousy Joy Kindness Loneliness Love limerence Lust Mono no aware Neglect Nostalgia Outrage Panic Passion Pity self-pity Pleasure Pride grandiosity hubris insult vanity Rage Regret Rejection Relief Remorse Resentment Sadness melancholy Saudade Schadenfreude Sehnsucht Sentimentality Shame Shock Shyness Social connection Sorrow Spite Stress chronic Suffering Surprise Sympathy Trust Wonder sense of wonder Worry
Worldviews	Cynicism Defeatism Nihilism Optimism Pessimism Reclusion Weltschmerz
Related	Affect consciousness in education measures in psychology Affective computing forecasting neuroscience science spectrum Affectivity positive negative Appeal to emotion Amygdala hijack Emotion and art and memory and music and sex and sleep classification evolution expressed functional accounts group homeostatic in animals perception recognition in conversation regulation interpersonal work Emotional aperture bias blackmail competence conflict contagion detachment dysregulation eating exhaustion expression and gender intelligence and bullying Empathy quotient intimacy isolation lability labor lateralization literacy prosody reasoning responsivity security symbiosis Emotional thought method well-being Emotionality bounded Emotions and culture history in decision-making in the workplace in virtual communication moral self-conscious social social sharing sociology Feeling Group affective tone Interactions between the emotional and executive brain systems Jealousy in art Meta-emotion Pathognomy Pathos Social emotional development Stoic passions Theory affect appraisal constructed emotion discrete emotion somatic marker
Italics indicate emotion names in foreign languages