Understanding Anxiety
Anxiety is a widespread problem across all ages. Specific amounts of anxiety are expected in
all individuals from time to time. Whether it is about an upcoming exam,
waiting for results or catching the coronavirus infection, worry is expected
and prepares us to be ready for challenges. When the anxiety becomes so
persistent that it takes over your life, it becomes a threat to your health
and well-being.
What is
anxiety?
Anxiety
makes you worry, nervous and fearful about things that may or may not be real.
Sometimes the fear is much more than the actual threat, exaggerating the danger
in one’s mind. It might come from previous unpleasant experiences you have been
through or that have been narrated to you by family and friends. Sometimes
anxious attitudes might be learned from parents or people with whom one is in close
contact. One may not be able to justify or rationalize anxiety and yet be
unable to get rid of it.
Anxiety can
also be induced in children by over-ambitious parents and teachers who push
them beyond their capacity, chasing them to win the rat race of achievement
instead of focussing on overall development. It can induce a
feeling of inadequacy and low self-esteem in the child, leading to anxiety
about not measuring up to expectations.
Physical
symptoms of anxiety may vary from person to person but mainly include
trembling, sweating, dizziness and lack of sleep and appetite. It may affect
mental functioning like memory, lack of concentration, irritation and
suspicion. Anxiety can be relatively mild or severe, which can cause critical
conditions.
-to be
continued
