Anxiety exists in two forms: everyday stress and deep-seated fear rooted in past trauma. While those with stable upbringings may navigate life’s pressures with resilience, individuals raised in dysfunctional environments—marked by neglect, criticism, or instability—develop heightened sensitivity to stress, as their nervous system learns to expect threat.
Defensiveness often emerges as a survival mechanism in households where blame and anxiety dominate. A child who apologizes for a mistake, only to be met with anger, internalizes self-criticism and disconnection. Over time, anxious parents—trapped in their own unresolved stress—react impulsively to minor mishaps, unconsciously passing down their fears. Without self-awareness, these cycles persist across generations, shaping minds that remain unaware of their conditioned responses.