Free floating fear

A recent discussion with a psychologist introduced me to a new concept, a new way of thinking about anxiety. It's called "Free Floating Fear", sometimes named "Free Floating Anxiety" -  and it may not feel like anxiety at all.

The idea refers to anxiety being an ever-present, nearly constant uncomfortable feeling without a specific target. The person may not be afraid anything in particular. It may not even feel like anxiety. It's just unfocused nervousness. The free-floating anxiety can feel like

• nervousness
• being uncomfortable
• restless
• tiredness
• being extra alert (observing the environment, observing people)
• being jumpy
• estimating and calculating risks also for the future
• having muscle pains and weak limbs (from constant physical tension)
• general feelings of stress, difficulty in relaxing
• difficulties focusing

The cause of free-floating anxiety may be impossible to find. It could be a combination of genetics, environment and experience. Also, it could have causes dating years and years back. It For example a childhood trauma, prolonged stay in an unsafe environment or another traumatic experience can create this permanent, free anxiety. At that time stress and anxiety were needed to keep us alive. However, when the situation changed, the anxiety stayed. It's simply our mind's mechanism to cope.

Now, in the present, can be triggered by external events. These events are then easily perceived as the reason for the anxiety. However, they only trigger it, they are not the cause.

Example

Bart is a stressed, anxious adult. He doesn't remember his childhood well. He has been told that the first 4 years of his life he was not well cared for. The situation at home was unsafe and he witnessed violence and substance abuse. He was adopted at the age of 4. Bart himself doesn't recall much of it.  

As an adult Bart develops health anxiety.  He tries to solve this by resolving his fear for health issues - but it never really works. He feels fine for a few years and then the constant jumpiness comes back.

According to free-floating anxiety -theory Bart is on the wrong track. His anxiety was caused by childhood trauma. it's only triggered by health issues. Unless he works on re-building his sense of self and safety, the anxiety will not be resolved.

 

Coping with free-floating fear

Choosing Therapy -website has 11 tips to recognize and deal with anxiety. Most of them are focused on getting a more realistic view of the present conditions. Where are we? How do we feel? What are we doing to maintain or to break the anxiety? 

More information

Choosing Therapy: https://www.choosingtherapy.com/free-floating-anxiety/

Verywellmind: https://www.verywellmind.com/free-floating-anxiety-definition-symptoms-traits-causes-treatment-5116623