‘I’m scared, but I don’t know what I’m afraid of’ – this is typically the way a person who has anxiety feels. It is a nameless fear – a feeling of ‘impending doom’. Fear has an object –the person knows what he’s afraid of; it could be fear of animals or insects, fear of heights, closed places, exams, blood, to name a few. The person can deal with the fear by avoiding the objects or situations that lead to the fear.

It is much worse for a person who is anxious. Since they don’t know what makes them anxious, they are unable to identity the objects or situations and avoid them. This results in a constant distressing emotional state of tension. When a person has anxiety, they feel upset and stressed. Their breathing rate and heart rate may be higher and they perspire (sweat) excessively. They muscles are tensed up leading to bodily aches and pains. They are alert to threat and are very cautious in their activities because they don’t know where the danger is.

Due to their high mental and bodily arousal, they find it difficult to concentrate on their work or studies. This may also make them feel tired and listless. Poor sleep may make matters worse as because they also worry a lot.

A few people may experience panic attacks along with generalised anxiety. A panic attack is a brief (few minutes) episodes of intense fear, accompanied by increased heart rate, sweating, palpitation, dizziness, faintness and increased breathing. The person feels ‘as if’ they are having a heart attack or ‘going crazy’. Following the episode, they return to a normal state but start fearing subsequent attacks of panic.

Anxiety and panic attacks are usually brought by stresses, difficult situations, unexpected crises, and personal feelings of inadequacy. Talking to a counsellor to learn strategies to cope with the situation and manage the anxiety is very helpful.

Seek help from counsellors at Salvecare if you are facing such issues.

Author: Dr. Veena Easvaradoss Ph.D.