It is not the presence or absence, the quality, or even the quantity of anxiety which allows predictions as to future mental health or illness; what is significant in this respect is only the ability to deal with the anxiety. Here, the differences between one individual and another are very great, and the chances of maintaining mental equilibrium vary accordingly.

The children whose outlook for mental health is better are those who cope with the same danger situations actively by way of resources such as intellectual understanding, logical reasoning, changing of external circumstances…by mastery instead of retreat.

—ANNA FREUD (1965)