Medically, anxiety is a deep-rooted concept that reflects a person’s instinct to protect themselves from anticipated harm—it’s the “fight or flight” response to stay safe, stable, and calm.
During the era of Greek rule, the term “hysteria” emerged, coined by male philosophers of the time. It referred to states of anxiety, panic, and fear caused by disturbances in the uterus—linked to menstruation, menopause, pregnancy, and other female conditions. These were believed to result in side effects such as shortness of breath, hormonal changes, and other symptoms.
In the early Renaissance, women who displayed signs of hysteria or openly expressed their psychological fears and anxieties were labeled as witches. They were treated with violence and brutality—tortured in Spain, executed in Britain, and burned in Scotland.
The Victorian era did not differ much in its perception of anxiety, but rather intensified it, especially linking it to women. Being confined to the home for long periods caused women to develop chronic anxiety and strange behaviors, leading to persistent panic attacks. Ultimately, many were either returned to their families or sent to asylums where they received electroshock therapy. Over time, the vibrator was invented as a home remedy for women with anxiety.
During the American Civil War, the concept of anxiety shifted away from being gender-specific. Soldiers began experiencing symptoms such as rapid heartbeat and shortness of breath—what we now recognize as PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). They were treated with opium, whose negative effects were not yet understood.
After that period, anxiety was finally seen as a condition that did not discriminate by gender. This marked the beginning of efforts to find effective treatments for anxiety. However, the early methods were short-term and often made the problem worse and more complex.
In the early 20th century, Russians began to understand anxiety on a deeper level. After the Russo-Japanese War in 1904, they sent psychiatrists to treat soldiers. The standard treatment became sedation using barbiturates, which remained popular for years. In some cases, people with advanced signs of anxiety were sterilized.
By the 1930s, anxiety treatment took a new turn with the introduction of progressive muscle relaxation techniques.
In the late 20th century, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was reserved for patients with severe anxiety—those at risk of harming themselves. Meanwhile, relaxation techniques became a leading form of treatment for most anxiety disorders. After the 1950s, antidepressants were introduced as effective medications for anxiety. In 1990, specific anti-anxiety drugs were developed that stimulated the release of mood-related chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin.
The history of anxiety is now well documented, and modern discoveries continue to emerge. Ongoing research explores the connection between anxiety and genetics. Scientists also study ancient Indian practices related to muscle relaxation, heart rate control, and breathing—aiming to integrate past techniques with modern technology for more effective and less harmful anxiety management.
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