Marian Rojas Estapé, psychiatrist: "Painful memories integrate into a part of the brain where they no longer hurt"
Psychiatrist Marian Rojas Estapé discusses techniques to manage anxiety related to traumatic experiences, highlighting the importance of how painful memories are processed in the brain.
In a recent discussion, psychiatrist Marian Rojas Estapé addressed the pervasive issue of anxiety disorders, as highlighted by the World Health Organization (WHO). While it is common for individuals to experience anxiety at various points in their lives, some endure anxiety disorders characterized by intense, excessive feelings of fear and worry. According to WHO reports, these disorders are often accompanied by physical tension and behavioral or cognitive symptoms that become difficult to manage, leading to significant distress that can persist without treatment. The origins of these disorders are frequently linked to traumatic experiences.
Estapé underscored the alarming statistics concerning anxiety disorders, noting that in the United States, approximately 21% of the population is affected, a stark contrast to the global average estimated at 4.4%. In Spain, the situation mirrors these findings, with nearly one-third of the population facing anxiety challenges as of 2022. Such statistics illustrate the widespread nature of anxiety and the critical need for effective treatment strategies to address it.
To combat anxiety stemming from trauma, Estapé introduced a specific technique aimed at reprocessing painful memories. She proposed that these memories integrate into a section of the brain, neutralizing their ability to cause pain over time. This understanding of memory processing not only offers insight into the nature of anxiety disorders but also encourages individuals suffering from anxiety to seek targeted therapeutic approaches that can mitigate their distress and improve their overall well-being.