Anxiety and symbolic processes in developmental age

Abstract

Anxiety and distress during childhood are influenced by internal and external factors that change over time. Initially, children's emotional reactions are linked to contingent experiences, such as physical needs and desires for interaction. As they grow, a symbolic dimension emerges that allows children to represent and give meaning to more complex experiences, freeing themselves from purely objective situations. The evolution of the individual involves the formation of psychic patterns that guide their lifestyle in relation to feelings of security and insecurity. In this context, the analysis of distressing experiences reveals how the meaning of reality and symbolic strategies contribute to the management of anxiety. Experiences of anxiety develop through continuous interaction between the objective and subjective dimensions of experiences, profoundly influencing personality and the ability to face the unknown