ANX

For this project, I created a soundscape intended to evoke the feelings that I imagine are associated with anxiety or a panic attack. Although I do not have anxiety disorder, I have experienced anxiety at times and know how it can build up over time when life is particularly tough or stressful. I tried to incorporate this feature of anxiety into the soundscape by using ordinary every day sounds in a way that is increasingly tense and agitating. The build of the song also adds to the uneasiness and fear accompanied with anxiety. Because anxiety can trap people into a mental loop of worrisome or fearful thoughts, I used the same sounds repetitively throughout the soundscape. I was most likely inspired to make this type of soundscape because I was creating it right before a big trip that I was nervous about. Due to some other worries in my personal life, I had been feeling extra anxious about the trip when I wanted to just be excited about it. Now that I'm back, I'm anxious again about all of the work I have to make up, but that's my own fault. Creating the soundscape allowed me control anxiety by producing it in a digital form; this process helped me realize that I am capable of controlling anxiety when it begins to creep up on me. I hope that the soundscape could have a similar affect on those who suffer from anxiety disorder by helping them realize that it is under their control.