The origin of Anxiety during Neurotic Episodes

While much has been written about how to manage anxiety, far less attention has been paid to how anxiety originates within the psyche. In this post, we will explore the fascinating origins of anxiety through the lens of Lacanian theory, delving into how the interplay between three fundamental psychic realms—the Real, the Imaginary, and the Symbolic—can trigger this powerful emotion.

It’s important to note that the neurotic episode we are discussing in this post does not necessarily indicate that the subject has a fully developed neurosis. It is simply a fleeting moment where anxiety arises, temporarily disrupting the usual balance of the psyche. This type of episode is not a sign of a chronic condition, but rather a transient moment of anxiety that, if not managed properly, could lead to further complications. Mental health is about maintaining balance, and we must all learn how to navigate this process.

Lacan’s Three Realms

Lacan proposed that the psyche is structured around three distinct yet mutually interconnected realms:

• The Imaginary: This realm is characterized by images, self-identity, and the way we perceive ourselves and others. Originating in the "mirror stage," it shapes our sense of self and our place in the world, often through idealized images and misrecognitions.

• The Symbolic: This is the realm of language, social norms, laws, and cultural conventions. It is the system of meanings that structures our thoughts and interactions. Language plays a crucial role here, enabling us to make sense of our experiences and give them meaning.

• The Real: This is the realm that lies beyond symbolization and language. It's the traumatic core of existence, the impossible, the unassimilable. It represents what resists being captured by the Symbolic order, often manifesting as feelings of unease, lack, and the uncanny. It's not simply "reality" but rather the limit of our ability to grasp reality through symbolic means.

Under normal circumstances, these three realms function in a precarious balance. The psyche processes information by drawing from all three realms in harmony. But what happens when this balance is disrupted?

The Dynamics of Anxiety: A Three-Tempo Model

Lacan’s model of anxiety can be understood as unfolding in three phases, or "tempos," each representing a different stage of psychic tension and disruption.

Tempo 1: Equilibrium

In the first tempo, the psyche is in a state of relative balance. The Imaginary, Symbolic, and Real are intertwined, and the individual navigates their world with a coherent sense of self. While there may be underlying tension, it remains manageable.

Tempo 2: Disruption

The second tempo marks a disruption in this equilibrium. Something—whether it’s a new experience, an urgent physical need, a traumatic event, a challenging social interaction, or even a forgotten thought or memory resurfacing—upsets the delicate balance between the realms. The Imaginary and Symbolic overlap, and the psyche becomes hyper-focused on the Symbolic order, driven by societal expectations, rules, and language. As the subject attempts to restore control, they may experience increased guilt, inhibition, or the urge to conform to social norms. The Imaginary, the realm of self-image and identification, comes under strain as the individual struggles to maintain a sense of self in the face of the disruption while immersed in the Symbolic realm

During this phase, a phenomenon known as sensorial jouissance (Sens.J. in the diagrams) can intensify the experience of anxiety. Jouissance, in Lacanian terms, refers to a form of enjoyment that is both pleasurable and painful (and can thus become addictive), often linked to bodily sensations and unconscious drives. The tension between the body’s needs and the conflicting demands of the Symbolic order (such as social rules) can heighten the feeling of anxiety. The subject may experience sensorial jouissance as an intense mixture of bodily discomfort and emotional tension, which makes the disruption feel even more overwhelming.

Tempo 3: The Emergence of Anxiety

The third tempo marks the crisis point, where anxiety fully emerges. The Imaginary immerses into the Symbolic realm while the Real is excluded. The subject feels overwhelmed by an inescapable feeling of inadequacy, as the Symbolic structure—which usually provides order, guidance, and meaning—becomes a measure of the subject's effectiveness in accomplishing a task.

For example, an individual may experience intense thirst. The desire for water and the satisfaction of that need might seem trivial, but if the person develops a neurotic complication in that moment, the interaction with the Symbolic realm becomes more complex. Internal questions may arise, such as: "Is there a ‘danger’ waiting for me if I go for water?" or "Will I be attacked or harmed in any way?" As intense over-thinking triggers a negotiation between whether or not to get water, the Real is excluded and diminished—it is no longer relevant. The only negotiation occurs between the Imaginary and the Symbolic. In its attempt to regain balance, the psyche uses anxiety as a motivator for action—whether to confront the threat or escape it.

Anxiety serves as a mechanism to restore balance to the system and reduce inhibition toward achieving a goal. If a rigid symptom locks the system, the subject remains trapped in a cycle of inhibition and anxiety. In normal cases, there is no locked symptom, and all parts of the subject remain flexible, allowing action even in the face of resistance. In most cases, anxiety acts as a catalyst for finding a solution and can even be positive or desirable, as it may improve fast results.

Handling Anxiety in a Neurotic Episode

In minor neurotic episodes, handling anxiety involves becoming aware of it, which allows for shifting the balance between the psychic realms. One way to achieve this is by engaging with the Real, or increasing the focus on the Real content or attention within the psyche. In practical terms, this means focusing on sensory experiences and bodily sensations, such as the simple awareness of being alive, which can help ground the subject in the present moment. By bringing the body’s immediate sensations to the forefront, the psyche can reduce the dominance of the Imaginary and Symbolic realms, thereby lessening the overwhelming anxiety.

However, it’s important to acknowledge that the Real is ultimately ungraspable. The goal is not to fully access the Real that may produce other kind of problems, but to create space for its acknowledgment within the psyche. This allows the subject to begin to reconcile the conflict between the Imaginary and Symbolic, reducing the tension that fuels anxiety.

Conclusion

Anxiety is a complex phenomenon that, in this case, emerges as a compensantion from the interaction of the Imaginary and the Symbolic. However, not all anxiety derives from this dynamic. In a psychotic episode, the dynamics are quite different and would require a separate exploration. In any case, when the balance between the psyche's realms is disrupted, the mind will always try to restore a balanced state, where there is a compromise among all the parts involved.

Though the help of others, such as a therapist or coach, can be valuable, most of the time, we are alone with our internal issues, especially in times of distress. By engaging with our sensory experiences using specific tools and understanding, we can address these issues and avoid many unpleasant consequences, always moving toward a more balanced state of being.