In the first video of this two-part series, we discussed what Carl Jung believed the existence of anxiety disorders and other forms of neurotic suffering can teach us about our way of life. The cause of neurosis, according to Jung, is always to be found in the present—in a conflicted way of life in the here and now. The outbreak of neurosis functions in a prospective manner; it signals to us that the life path we are on is inconducive to our well-being.
Or, as Jung wrote, "The road to recovery according to Jung does not require reliving childhood memories or working through old family conflicts. " For unless we were the victim of some sort of trauma of which we have yet to process, our childhood memories will not free us from our present suffering. What is needed is a new attitude, one which entails: We must step off the sidelines of life and establish a uniform direction for our existence in which we, and not others, are the final authority.
The first step in recovery is simple in theory but difficult in practice; we need a clearer picture of who we are and where we are heading. We can no longer afford to falsify reality. Instead of fleeing from our difficulties, denying our flaws, or blaming our lot in life on forces independent from our control, self-acceptance must become the rule.
For, as Jung wrote, "While many people fear what they may see if they take an honest look at themselves, in actual fact, the practice of self-acceptance is liberating. " No longer do we need to expend so much energy denying our flaws and hiding them from ourselves and others; instead, this energy can be used for its proper purpose of contributing to personal growth and promoting our recovery. For the bold among us, Jung suggested that one way to gain a better picture of who we are is to turn to someone we trust for an honest assessment of our character.
In addition to becoming more aware and accepting of our current situation, we also need to recognize where we are heading if we remain neurotic. For often, those afflicted by anxiety disorders, especially in the initial stages of the illness, believe that if they can avoid the things that trigger their symptoms, then a relatively comfortable life is still possible. Symptom management, not recovery, becomes their primary goal.
But this path often leads to a hell of one's own making. For while avoiding the situations, activities, and life tasks that trigger our symptoms may be of minimal inconvenience at first, over time—as many neurotics will attest—the practice of avoidance snowballs until life becomes restricted in the worst of ways. For this reason, Jung believed it was crucial for the neurotic to recognize that while recovery is certainly not easy, it will in the long run prove far less arduous than remaining in the grips of a neurosis.
Or, as Jung wrote, he compared the task of recovery to climbing a steep mountain pass, while he suggested those who never make the attempt are like individuals who sit on the pleasant valley road below, not realizing that a raging bull is heading directly for them. But so as not to be overcome by despair and the recognition that no easy escape remains, we should remember that a neurosis offers us the chance to discover a path in life that is far more fulfilling than the one we currently tread. In fact, recovering from a neurosis can result in a level of psychological health and a degree of resilience not found in those who never endured such suffering.
A neurosis, in other words, is only a curse if we remain forever caught in it, but it will prove a blessing if we can find an escape. But the attitude change engendered by self-acceptance and the recognition of where we are heading if we remain neurotic is only the preparatory step on the road to recovery; the real solution lies in action. We must stop being mere observers of life.
At this stage, there is a tendency for those suffering from a neurosis to want to know exactly what tasks they should be fulfilling and what path in life they should follow. But according to Jung, caution must be exercised in this regard, for, as he wrote. With that said, Jung does offer some general advice to help us avoid dead-end paths.
Firstly, he warned that the neurotic should be cautious of conformity. Some people are neurotic because of an acute sensitiveness to the inadequacies of the dominant way of life in their society, and hence, so long as they strive for conformity, they will remain trapped in their suffering. These individuals, according to Jung, are not ill because they lack the ability to live like anyone else.
Instead of following the well-worn path of conformity, not all who are neurotic fall into the class of the bearers of new cultural ideals. Many people are neurotic simply because they are unwilling to face up to one of those tasks of life, which all of us, because of our shared human nature, naturally gravitate toward—be it the need to pass on our genes, to cultivate a social life, to participate in some form of productive work, or eventually to face up to our death. In these cases, the question of conformity or non-conformity does not apply; recovery is simply a matter of facing up to the life tasks we have for too long avoided.
Or, as Jung put it, "For those whose neurosis has led to a dramatic restriction in activity, the specific task which is chosen is not too important. We just need to find something to aim at which can help effectuate a transition from the inner realms of our doubts, worries, and intrusive thoughts to the external world of. .
. " People, places, and things. A useful practice in this regard was recommended by Jung's colleague, Alfred Adler.
We should imagine ourselves free of neurosis and also free of the fear of social ridicule. In such a situation, what would we choose to do? Who would we want to become?
We can even turn to our dreams and fantasies for clues as to the direction our life should take. For, as Jung wrote, "As we begin effectuating the extroversion that accompanies recovery, focusing our energy on living in the world instead of primarily in our heads, our symptoms are likely to flare up. " Many people, however, never heed the call of their neurosis, urging them towards a more fulfilling life, maintaining that before they can begin down this path, they must first conquer their symptoms.
But if we agree with Jung's analysis that our symptoms are primarily the result of our choice to stand on the sidelines of life, then such an approach will likely fail. We have to accept that recovery will only be achieved if we are willing to move forward in the presence of our fear and anxiety. And in this regard, there is no formula for our deliverance, no advice that will turn the meek into the brave; rather, as Jung wisely noted.
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