Analysis Of Tragic Anxiety By James Collier

As a student majoring in psychology, I find mental disorders and debilitating behavioral patterns fascinating. From depression to anxiety, many people tell their story of how these disorders handicapped them and how they altered their lives to fight these invisible forces holding them back. Typically, these stories demonstrate the way extreme anxiety has kept people from living normal lives. They don’t address the subject of trivial anxiety; James Collier’s piece offers this interesting perspective. Collier argues that trivial anxiety (anxiety that is not debilitating to the point of preventing normal operation) exists to challenge us. This argument, while partially valid, oversimplifies the complex nature of anxiety. Collier does not address the moments in our lives where trivial anxiety prevents us from engaging in maladaptive behavior. Therefore, I disagree with Collier’s thesis that anxiety is “challenge by another name.” …show more content…
He say’s that “the more [he] thought about it, the more the prospect daunted [him]. [He] began waking up at night in a cold sweat” (95). Collier, fearing he will not meet obligations he’s already made for the summer, turns down the offer to go to Argentina. Collier regrets not following through with the opportunity, which turns out to be life changing for his friends, and he becomes depressed. After this experience, Collier offers several words of wisdom, “do what makes you anxious; don’t do what makes you depressed” (95). He encourages his readers to fight anxiety, which will fight the depression we feel in our lives as well. Unfortunately, emotions don 't always work this