GAZING INTO THE ABYSS: TOWARD A PHILOSOPHICAL UNDERSTANDING OF ANXIETY AND FEAR

Abstract

The aim: This paper deals with anxiety or fear-related disorders and philosophical interpretations of the phenomena of fear and anxiety. Materials and methods: The authors used integrative anthropological approach, interpretive research paradigm, hermeneutical approach. The data collec¬tion was carried out using Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar databases. Research papers were identified according to search terms: “anxiety or fear-related disorders”, “fear”, “anxiety”, “phobia”, “psychology”, “psychotherapy”, “mental health”, “philosophy”, “being-in-the-world”, “human existence”. Conclusion: It is obvious that philosophical interpretations of the phenomena of fear and anxiety cannot be defined in clinical terms, especially given the fact that modern psychology, psychotherapy, and psychiatry are shifting towards evidence-based practices. Furthermore, there are significant differences in determining the causes that provoke mental health disorders (nature, nurture, their interaction or something else) and accordingly in choosing treatment methods. Apparently, the position of the researchers/practitioners will be determined by their understanding of the root cause. However, more and more researchers are coming to the conclusion that the contemporary world demonstrates the urgent need for an integral, holistic paradigm of a human as an undivided, alive and organic, ideal and material being that should be understood in the context, taking into account the socio-cultural, biological, narrative, self-relational dimensions and his/her ability to transcend them. That is why the most effective way to help people with anxiety or fear-related disorders is to develop “the optimal combination of social assistance, psychological therapy, transpersonal experience, and medical treatment. It should be based on a new transdisciplinary paradigm and implemented by an interdisciplinary team of specialists”. In this process, a special role should be assigned to philosophy, which is able to expand horizons and find an approach to the core of a human being.