title: [Cool, clever, established--variations on anxiety defenses in today's society].
abstract: Anxiety is a psycho-biological phenomenon, psychologically manifested in feelings of constrainment, threat, and vulnerability; and physically in evidence of increased sympathetic tone. Three phenomenologically different forms of anxiety can be distinguished (real anxiety, existential anxiety, neurotic anxiety). Existential anxiety is based on four themes: self-development, self-submission, change and finality. Anxiety and anxiety defences are a part of human existence. Every culture develops its own rituals for defending against anxiety. Three variations of anxiety defence are described which typically appear in affluent societies: coolness, cleverness and happiness. These strategies are, depending on the situation, sensible and advantageous in dealing with, perceiving, overcoming and defending against existential anxieties.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Psychosoziale Medizin, Universitätsspital Zürich.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Buddeberg
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D005086:Existentialism; D006801:Humans; D007207:Individuation; D007389:Internal-External Control; D012938:Social Perception
vernacular_title: Cool, clever, aufgestellt--Variationen zur Angstabwehr in der heutigen Gesellschaft.