Why do we find it so difficult to control anxiety?

First of all, it's important to understand that we all experience anxiety , albeit in different ways. In fact, a little anxiety can be beneficial because it stimulates us, keeps us alert, and helps us perform better. For example, it has been observed that people who are more anxious in difficult situations tend to solve problems faster than others, or get better grades, and so on. However, sometimes, when this anxiety is too intense or appears at inappropriate times, it can be very limiting.

In the case of a panic attack —that is, anxiety that comes on suddenly and with great intensity—the more we try to control the symptoms, the more we realize we can't, and this can increase the anxiety. In other words, the more we try to control it, the more focused we become on it, and this can generate even more anxiety.

People who are more anxious tend to need to have everything under control . But when anxiety manifests as a panic attack, it's particularly difficult to control. What we can control is how we deal with the fear it provokes so that it doesn't limit our lives and so that it doesn't happen again. Sometimes it's not so much about controlling it as it is about focusing on what you're doing and letting it pass, but that's not so easy in practice; you could say it's like training. You've probably heard "if you have an attack, sit down and breathe," but this doesn't always work in the moment and, in any case, it doesn't help you overcome the fear in the long run. Perhaps we shouldn't learn so much about controlling it, but rather learn to control it less.