Anxiety Disorder- A Bane of Modern Times

Anxiety Disorder – A Bane of Modern Times

“A constrictive feeling of worry, nervousness or unease about something with an uncertain outcome” or “a strong desire that something should or should not happen leading to mental malady”– are the words the dictionary tries to describe anxiety.

It is a part of the different emotions, i.e. loves, anger, hatred, etcetera, built-in human nature. When this particular emotion becomes predominant over other emotions, we feel stressed.   Continuous stress leads to anxiety disorder. 

Falling prey to anxiety disorder is pretty common these days of fierce competition in all spheres of life. It is a matter of concern that this tendency is increasing.

A report titled ‘Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India 2019’, released some time back by The National Crime Records Bureau, stated that out of the total 1.39 lakh 2019 suicides, 93,061 were young adults. Compared to 2018 numbers (89,407), youth suicides in India had risen by 4 per cent. The overall suicide figures increased by 3.4 per cent in the same time. It is a grave concern that anxiety disorder is almost becoming an epidemic among young and ambitious people aged 16 to 40.

According to data shared by Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan in the Indian Parliament, 121 young people committed suicide between 2014 and 2021. They were the bright students of prestigious institutions, such as Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), central universities etc. In addition, as many as 19 students have committed suicide in India’s coaching capital, Kota, during the same period. 

 More than 12500 students died by suicide in India in the pandemic hit 2020, at more than 34 a day.

A team of investigators from the Times of India brought out these frightening statistics. Students in six states appeared to be more prone to suicide than others. These states were – Maharashtra, Karnataka, Jharkhand Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Tamilnadu.

TOI Report

Anxiety is a natural emotion. One cannot be totally devoid of anxiety. But it is possible to prevent this emotion from going up to the level of a disorder. If one becomes aware of the condition in the initial stage, using the mental power, one can come out of it.

Some of the suggested ways to combat anxiety disorder are:

1.   Keep physically active by participating in sports. Make sports be a part of life.  

2.   Develop calming hobbies like music, painting etc.

3.   Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs. 

4.   Quit smoking and cut back or quit drinking caffeinated beverages. 

5.   Use stress management and relaxation techniques. Meditation is a time-tested remedy for anxiety disorder.

6.   Make sleep a priority. 

7.   Eat healthy food.

8. Work hard, but leave the result in God’s hand.

Developing a philosophical outlook on life goes a long way toward strengthening the mind. But, first, one needs to understand that nothing in life, including troubles, is permanent, Failures are stepping stones to success, and one failure never means the end of life. 

Sometimes excessive attachment to the property, wealth, relationships, and position of power may lead to anxiety disorder since one tends to hold on to those things. Developing a mental detachment to these things to a certain extent may bring back a balance in attitude.

The mental balance between logic and emotion is essential to keep anxiety disorder out.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is the most effective form of psychotherapy for anxiety disorders.

Generally a short-term treatment, CBT focuses on teaching a patient the specific skills to get rid of the symptoms and gradually return to the activities he had avoided because of anxiety. The doctor makes a patient face those situations which he feared to face. This was the doctor helps to restore confidence in his patients through CBT.

If nothing works, one needs to seek medical help. Psychotherapy and anti-anxiety medications may bring quick relief to a patient. But the patient has to have the desire to come out of anxiety. It is a must. Else, these treatments may not give a permanent cure.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I may add that a positive attitude is an armour that one can have to ward off anxiety disorder. But undoubtedly, no one but the patient himself can help him get out of this awful disorder.

Have you ever thought about how an infantryman on a battlefield, facing almost certain death, still functions calmly to accomplish his mission?

He conditions himself with his faith in God, confidence in his weapon, trust in his leader and team and the total commitment to his task. He may be an ordinary man in his real life. But his training turns him into a superman.

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