Ways To Cope With Anxiety

We live in a dynamic, ever-changing and challenging environment, so it’s quite normal to feel stressed and anxious from time-to-time, especially if you live a high-pressure life.

- Dr Roshan Jain

Anxiety can be about upcoming exams or an interview, life changing events, relationship matters, financial issues, or something as seemingly innocuous as social gatherings, etc. Anxiety is excessive or pathological when it arises in the absence of challenge or stress and when it is disproportionate in duration and severity to an underlying problem.

Also, contrary to common myths, anxiety is normal and perhaps even helpful, as in moderation, it may provide us with a boost of energy or help us focus better. In other words, it can mobilize an anticipatory and adaptive response to a challenge or stressful events. However, for many, anxiety takes the shape of a constant companion and they therefore, look for anxiety in any given scenario. excess anxiety can destabilize an individual and result in a dysfunctional state. Moreover, when anxiety and nervousness become continuous, they are deemed as ‘disorders,’ calling for medical intervention.

Feelings of Nervousness Vs. Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety is a subjective feeling of being in a state of worry, fear, unease, apprehension or discomfort, often accompanied by physical features such as awareness of heartbeat, trembling, sweating, headaches, dizziness, etc. Anxiety is expected when a person responds to a real or potential danger.

The factors that differentiate nervousness from an anxiety disorder are its pervasive, unremitting, disproportionate and irrational nature. Anxiety in the context of stress is generally a temporary experience and remits with a change in routine or following relaxation. However, when the pressure is relentless, it can precipitate breakdown and a vast array of physical and psychological ailments.

Types of anxiety disorders