How is Anxiety Valuable in Our Lives?

Carl Jung viewed ‘neurosis,’ particularly anxiety, not merely as an illness but as an attempt by the psyche to heal itself. He compared it to the function of dreams, a mechanism through which the self-regulating mind tries to restore balance, often forcefully or drastically. Unlike modern approaches that emphasize symptom relief, Jung saw ‘neurosis’ as a signal indicating that a person needs to change their way of life and begin to resolve their inner conflicts through these signals. Ignoring these signals leads to a missed opportunity for growth and personal development, in addition to a possible increase in these symptoms. 



Jung’s theory focuses on the present causes of ‘neurosis’ rather than solely looking at past trauma. While childhood conflicts lay the groundwork, the immediate cause of ‘neurosis’ also lies in unresolved conflicts in one’s current life. Jung believed that if we solely focus on the past, we lose sight of the critical challenges facing us now. According to Jung, adults face different conflicts than children, and their suffering reflects a present difficulty in dealing with these life tasks and stressors.



The crux of ‘neurosis,’ Jung believed, lies in how we approach the inevitable tasks of life, such as achieving independence, forming relationships, contributing to society, and facing mortality. While we are driven to accomplish these tasks, we also have a natural inclination toward laziness and avoidance. Those who fail to confront these challenges due to fear fall into ‘neurosis’ and become in a state of internal conflict, unable to move forward due to self-sabotage or denial, according to Jung. 



Jung emphasized that the problem also lies in the individual’s approach to resolving those inner conflicts, not necessarily the inability to achieve life tasks. Everyone faces obstacles, but an effective approach to resolving symptoms begins with acknowledging one’s anxiety signals before. We all feel trapped in old and unhelpful patterns of behaviour sometimes, which leads us to symptoms of anxiety, depression, or obsessive thoughts. These symptoms, while distressing, serve as warnings that unresolved conflicts from the past and present may need to be addressed.



Jung believed that the solution to ‘neurosis’ lies in creating a new approach toward life, not only by exploring the past. He argued that building something new—a fresh perspective—was as effective as working through past experiences. While both genetic predispositions and upbringing may contribute to ‘neurosis,’ what is also important is recognizing and correcting the present-day attitudes that sustain these difficulties.