An anxious living

Psychology says anxiety is continuing fear. It is the place, the root, from where other major psychological problems such as depression, lack of concentration, loss of self-confidence, and irritation stem from. Anxiety is the type of feeling which could cause a person to shut down entirely. In ancient times, no one knew how to cure it because no one knew what it was until the 1980s, when it was first recognised by the American Psychiatrist Association. Before this recognition, people experiencing this feeling usually received a generic diagnosis of ‘stress’ or ‘nerves’.

It was often thought that anxiety and fear were ‘women problems’. This notion, however, is obviously untrue. Earlier people used to fail to acknowledge the fact that they were experiencing panic attacks but then influential personalities started opening about their anxiety, fears, feelings which encouraged other people to do so and this helped them get the right treatment.

Now, because of the prevalence of an advanced medical industry, more efficient ways of treating anxiety and fear have been developed and this has helped people open about panic attacks, anxiety, fear, depression, and seek help. Millions of Americans suffer from anxiety. Very few of these people actually receive treatment, even though the disorders are highly treatable and this proves that there are still people out there who refuse to be open about their feelings.

When you experience anxiety every day, it may be an anxiety disorder. Anxiety and other mental health problems should be taken seriously, just like any other heart disease. As it meddles with our mental health, which is essential just like our physical health. So the moral of the story is not to relax your voice box when you actually need it to convey your fears to someone you know and can trust.

■ The reader is a pupil and resident of Dubai.