ANXIETY

You are anxious when you feel that something unpleasant is going to happen in the future. Sometimes there can be a good reason for the feeling, but often it is imagined, or exaggerated. 

If anxiety continues for a long time, it can seriously hamper daily living leading to more anxiety. Anxiety makes a person vulnerable to physical and mental illnesses. 

Anxiety shows in symptoms like these:

• Dizziness, Breathlessness 
• Inability to concentrate, Nausea
• Peculiar feeling in the stomach, Sweating a lot
  
  

• Shaking, Trembling
  ▪ Insomnia, Muscle tension
  ▪ Numbness or tingling in limbs, Need to urinate more
  ▪ Pounding of the heart, Vague apprehension
  ▪ Irritability Forgetfulness, Intolerance to noise 

Anxiety may be associated with other mental symptoms like depression, obsessions or certain other serious mental symptoms. 

Some of the thing that people feel anxious about are: 

▪ Financial problems, Legal problems
▪ Health, Children and family
▪ Job promotion, Exams
▪ Choosing a career, Relationships 

Sometimes anxiety and restlessness might mean that there is a physical illness present for which a person may need to be examined. 

Here are some things that could help with anxiety – 

▪ Anxiety signals a need to think of the way you are living your life, and the problems you have. Work out a plan of action for each of your major problems and take positive action instead of worrying. 

▪ Learn Yoga, relaxation, or meditation. The beneficial effects of these are well established. Breathing exercises are specially helpful. Biofeedback and electrosleep are techniques of relaxation through machines. 

▪ Keep a careful record of the situations that make you anxious. This may help you to work out what you can do 

In each situation, to lessen the anxiety. 

▪ Take time to give yourself physical relaxation – go swimming, or take up your favourite sport. Take holidays when possible. Start on your hobbies. Spend quality time with children. 

▪ Eat well balanced diet with plenty of green vegetables and fruits. 

You should consult the psychiatrist/psychologist when you find… 

▪ that your anxiety is seriously affecting your daily life. 

▪ you can’t control your anxiety through your own efforts. 

▪ you have so many of the symptoms of anxiety that you are always worried about the state of your health. 

▪ that in addition to anxiety, you are always falling sick. 

What the psychiatrist/psychologist can do? 

The psychiatrist/psychologist would check the reason and intensity of anxiety. They may carry out certain psychological tests of personality, interpersonal relationships etc., to see if any life situation could be causing anxiety. 

The psychiatrist may use medication, psychotherapy or counseling, special methods like relaxation therapy, machine assisted relaxation, autogenic training, or biofeedback, to treat the anxiety. 

Warning: 

Never take medication for anxiety without the psychiatrist’s advice. Do not use alcohol or drugs for anxiety.