1. Definition of eco-anxiety
The concept of eco-anxiety was conceptualized in 1997 by the doctor-researcher in public health Véronique Lapaige (2020). It can be defined as a form of anxiety, apprehension and stress related to climate change and to observed or anticipated threats to ecosystems. This term refers to prospective distress, in the sense that imagining the future becomes a source of concern.
The term eco-anxiety is often associated with that of solastalgia, which refers to retrospective distress: we note the loss, that of nature, of a world, the degradation of the environment. This term refers to a certain amount of regret about the past, rather than fear of the future.
The symptoms
Eco-anxiety is not recognized as a pathology. Some professionals question this lack of official recognition considering that the people concerned suffer as much as a patient with other psychological disorders. Nevertheless, a majority of them defend the idea that concern about the threat of climate change is a normal, healthy and non-pathological reaction.
For the psychiatrists Antoine Pelissolo and Célie Massini,”People who report suffering from eco-anxiety report symptoms from the field of anxiety disorders: stress, panic attacks, anxiety attacks, insomnia, obsessive thoughts, eating disorders, invasive emotions (fear, sadness, helplessness, helplessness, despair, despair, frustration, anger, paralysis)“. Consultations for this reason would be more and more numerous.
The causes
Eco-anxiety affects many people for a simple reason: climate change concerns us and impacts all of us, especially the youngest. According to a study published by The Lancet magazine, 45% of young people aged 15 to 26 are experiencing anxiety because of the climate crisis. This study is based on a survey of 10,000 young people aged 16 to 25, in 10 countries, including France. It also indicates that 75% of 15-26 year olds consider the future “frightening” and 56% believe that “humanity is doomed.” Concretely, young people consider that the crisis can impact their personal and professional life (55% believe that they will have fewer opportunities than their parents), their family life (52% assume that the safety of their family “will be threatened”, 39% are hesitant to have children), and their general level of well-being (59% of respondents consider themselves to be “very” or “extremely worried” about climate change). If eco-anxiety particularly affects young people, it is above all because it is their future that is at stake! But other people are also more likely to develop eco-anxiety. This is particularly the case for people living in urban areas, climate scientists and ecologists, who are more connected to nature and the impacts of global warming.
2. Understanding and overcoming eco-anxiety
How to manage eco-anxiety and anxiety related to climate change?
Eco-anxiety refers to a feeling of anxiety and fear, but also of powerlessness in the face of the climate situation. There are several ways to learn how to manage environmental anxiety.
Talk about it
When you are anxious, regardless of the reason, it is important to be able to talk about it in order to take a step back from the situation. In the case of eco-anxiety, it may be interesting to talk about it with people who feel the same way, or to talk to a professional (psychologist or psychiatrist). Being listened to and feeling legitimate in our feelings can be very beneficial. Not everyone is equally aware of climate change, and not feeling heard can generate even more stress. The first step in fighting eco-anxiety is therefore to talk about it, talk to other people about it, and take a step back from the climate situation.
Mobilizing collectively
Again, to avoid exacerbating a feeling of loneliness, it is important to surround yourself with the right people when you are affected by eco-anxiety. To talk about it, yes, but not only that. Grouping up with people who share the same interests makes you feel understood. There are many groups and associations that allow this type of collective mobilization to take concrete action for the environment.
Focus on the positive
The evolution of technologies allows the omnipresence of the media that can sometimes seem suffocating. Global warming is treated on all media: radio, television, television, newspapers, internet... And that's a good thing, it makes it possible to raise awareness of environmental issues as many people as possible. However, when you are eco-anxious, it can be a good idea to get away from that “too much” of negative information and to focus on the positive. Whether at the global, national or local level, many media relay positive news about the environment. Focus on these!
Act at its own level
The best way to fight eco-anxiety is to feel useful. It is important to realize that everyone can act at their own level, and that if everyone makes small efforts, changes can be significant. Many eco-gestures are applicable on a daily basis : reduce waste, eat less meat, use less polluting means of transport... Even if these actions may seem ridiculous, they actually make it possible to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
What you need to remember is that eco-anxiety or solastalgia are normal reactions to current environmental concerns. The important thing is to learn to manage this stress by discussing it and giving meaning to our actions, and to remember that it is possible to be happy while being aware of the climate and environmental situation.
