“Everything feels so horrible, I’m unable to breathe and my heart is palpitating, I have some work to do but I can’t focus. It’s getting so bad and oh my God, why am I sweating?”
Yes, this is how one feels when one is facing anxiety. Everyone experiences anxiety at some point in their life; for some it’s mild or happens for a shorter duration and is manageable. However, for many, it’s so intense that it’s difficult to feel normal and turns into an anxiety disorder. These days, anxiety has become common due to constant pressure and competitiveness. One in every seven Indians suffers from one of the other mental health issues, including anxiety.
Anxiety disorders can be a result of a variety of reasons such as social isolation; genetic factors (i.e. passed on from one family member to the other); anxiety often goes hand-in-hand with depression; it can also be a side effect of medication; a traumatic experience in the past can lead the development of an anxiety disorder in an individual; alcohol or drugs can also lead to an anxiety disorder.
The disorder has many types, such as Generalised Anxiety Disorder (related to different situations in general), Specific Anxiety (to a particular thing or people), Social Anxiety Disorder (people who have a fear of interacting with others or being in public places), etc. You can always read more about these types eventually if you’re interested, but the point being here is that it gets so unbearable that one’s anxiety starts interfering with their daily activities. Never try to self-diagnose yourself as having an anxiety disorder. Consult a clinical psychologist first.
Now, the question is: how can I overcome anxiety or anxiety disorder?
One can write down how they are feeling and keep it in a journal. Never keep your anxiety to yourself. Share it with trusted people like your teachers, friends or even a counsellor. One should take medication if it’s a disorder, but ensure that you don’t become dependent on them. It’s not healthy to be dependent on anxiety medication.
Moreover, these medicines may make you feel better temporarily, but they also make you sleepy during the day. It’s best that you reach out to your psychiatrist and keep a regular count of the sessions to ensure that your anxiety does not get worse with time. Furthermore, it’s important to continue doing activities that you love doing. It can be anything at all as long as you feel at peace with yourself. Avoid consumption of drugs or alcohol, it’ll only worsen and ruin your progress.
It’s also World Mental Health Month, so one must talk about the importance of putting your mental health first too, just like how you take care of your physical health. Your mind is also a part of your body and not a separate entity.
Lastly, there is a quote by an anonymous person: “Go easy on yourself. Whatever you do today, let it be enough.” Promise yourself to never be rude to yourself; practice kindness not only to others but also to yourself.