Anxiety is a common disorder in today’s world due to the fast-paced life that we lead. However, Carl Jung’s perspective on anxiety focuses on it being a way the psyche communicates that our lifestyle is imbalanced. He argues that anxiety is purposive, functional, and has a goal of altering our lifestyle. Therefore, rather than eliminating anxiety through medication, we need to address the cause of the anxiety so that we can change our lifestyle. Anxiety often appears in mid-life when people experience a mid-life crisis. During this period, we need to turn inwards, encounter the contents of the unconscious, and search for the essential meaning of life. It is anxiety that often propels us towards answering these questions. When we feel intense anxiety, we should ask ourselves what the psyche is trying to tell us and address the causes of the symptoms. This may lead to lifestyle changes that prioritize the wisdom of our psyche’s message. By addressing the causes of anxiety and making lifestyle changes, the anxiety should diminish, leading us towards a more full, balanced lifestyle.
Written by John Betts