Reducing Anxiety through Paradoxical Intention

Viktor Frankl's concept of paradoxical intention is a therapeutic technique in which individuals intentionally engage in or exaggerate the very thoughts, behaviors, or symptoms they fear or wish to avoid. By doing so, they break the cycle of anxiety and anticipatory tension that typically makes the feared outcome more likely. The principle behind this approach is that fear often intensifies when we try to avoid it, and by paradoxically embracing or confronting the fear, the emotional response weakens.