LáLew Learns: Understanding and Addressing Anxiety

“A threat to survival or wellbeing” doesn’t sound like clicking on a Zoom link, answering an email or shaking a hand. Yet, our bodies respond physically and mentally to these experiences like they are. 

We call this anxiety. 

At LáLew, we consider mental, emotional and physical health to be foundational to a functioning team. To learn more about how we can combat anxiety personally and professionally, we called in Principle Owner of Sankofa Family Counseling Services,, LCSW-R. 

Khadijah Tillman explained that anxiety is adaptive for us as humans, bringing danger to our attention. This intense response becomes problematic when the environment does not require it. Some people are more vulnerable to these occurrences. This is often related to being more emotional and empathetic, introversion, trauma, childhood attachment issues, perfectionism and difficulty with change. 

Having anxiety, however, does not mean you cannot live a wonderful and beautiful life. The first step is to understand what it sounds like and how it shows up. 

According to Tillman, there are three categories of fear that can narrate one’s anxiety. 

1. Relational Fears are rooted in interactions with others such as not being liked, accepted or seen as competent. 

2. External Fears are based on the environment, including being harmed or having one’s loved one injured. 

3. Intrinsic Fears are one’s own insecurities about ability and future, essentially failing in some regard. 

In our daily lives, these fears can show up in three ways. 

1. Mentally. One may ruminate over certain thoughts or have trouble concentrating. 

2. Physically. Symptoms include uneasiness and restlessness, shortness of breath, tension, fatigue, aches and pains. 

3. Emotionally. Some experience fear, insecurity, dread, irritability, anger and sadness. 

So now that we know what it is and how it shows up, what can we do? Tillman offered methods to cope with and prevent anxiety. 

First, identify the fear. Once you can pinpoint what it is and where it came from, face it. While you may be able to overcome some fears, you may have to learn how to live with others. Choose the right next step for you and tackle it head on. 

To protect against anxiety, one can focus on creating community, cultivating a sense of purpose, putting emotional and thought management strategies into place, and establishing a calm, healthy and consistent fiscal and physical environment. 

 After hearing from Tillman, we were left with a greater understanding while also aware of how much more there is to learn. As a society, there is much work to be done in both providing space for all emotions and increasing support and awareness for those who are combating anxiety each day. 

People like Tillman are paving the way, and LàLew is following her lead.