WHY WE ARE BECOMING ANXIOUS IN THE PRESENT TIME OF THIS PANDEMIC.
There are many reasons why ‘anxiety’ and ‘panic’ is rising amongst masses. For one, ‘anxiety’ is actually a normal reaction to any situation which brings uncertainty. It is required, so that we make positive adjustments in our surroundings and in ourselves and are able to thwart the possible danger. However, if this anxiety takes a form, that is unmanageable and is functionally impairing, we then call it problematic.
Here, is a list of ‘Why we are becoming anxious now’ during this pandemic. Underlying reasons are common to all. The list is long but not exhaustive.
We are becoming more anxious and edgy-
Because, we don’t know what is going to happen
Because, we don’t know what to do, situation is not totally in our hands so there is sense of loss of control
Because, we fear that we might succumb to infection, in spite of all the precautions we are taking
Because, we cannot go out and are feeling deprived of free movement in society
Because, we don’t know when this will end- will it be today, tomorrow, a week later, or months later
Because, we are afraid that our loved ones may catch it or others might spread it to us
Because, we don’t know which information to believe; news is changing, updating every moment
Because, even though we don’t want to, we are constantly, looking for updates, checking, talking, discussing, arguing, debating over this topic.
We are all worried.
We are all anxious.
Panic is being triggered easily, because our body is on a ‘flight or fright’ mode, a primitive response of many organisms to threat or danger.
We are breathing faster and yet, we are feeling breathless,
Heart is running faster, and yet, we are getting exhausted quickly,
Our gut is churning, and our appetite has taken a funny turn,
Our mind is spewing all worse possibilities, one after the other
Our muscles are tensed, our brain alert,
Our eyes are wide open and yet, our vision seems to blur,
We are bickering, loosing temper, snapping, spitting abuses,
Our body is on high alert, and mind is boggled by possibility of what might occur.
This is a picture of panic like reaction which many people are experiencing in current scenario.
Though, it is a situation which is unusual and anxiety provoking, and there is element of universality about this, there are ways to retain some sense of sanity amongst this mayhem and crisis. Actually, the list is not long, there might be many who may have better suggestions, or are actually doing better in this situation. This is my small list of do’s and don’ts to beat this anxiety.
Do gather right information from right sources about this pandemic. For eg WHO has now started a whatsapp group to share correct information and provide right support.
Don’t get trapped into repeated checking and confirmation of information from self proclaimed medics, whatsapp member, forwards which are simply rumours.
Do take the right steps as suggested by the governments and medical organisations about washing hands, hygiene, social isolation and quarantine.
Don’t over compensate for fear and pretend you are indestructible by breaking the norms laid down by authorities.
Do take breaks from continuous ongoing discussions on this topic.
Don’t get tangled into continuous negative outpouring towards people, neighbours, governments etc. Remember negativity brews negativity.
Do reshuffle a new routine suited for current circumstances and take out time for self isolation and refection. You never know what you may discover about yourself which you hadn’t for long time because you had no time.
Don’t behave as if you are on a holiday, inviting friends, or meeting friends at their places, or travel or line up in departmental stores.
Do make lists of the necessary things you would want to buy, things that you would want to do or want to achieve in this self isolating time.
Don’t panic into buying unnecessary items.
Do practise breathing exercises, meditation, follow or initiate exercise schedule, read a book, play games in 90’s styles when there was no social media or virtual world.
Don’t get sucked into social media and its imaginary panicky world.
Last, but not the least, think, may be this forced isolation is an opportunity to revisit yourself, to connect with family, to spend more time with your children, or to do things which you would not have time to do otherwise.
Stay safe, stay healthy.
Dr Anshul Mahajan
Consultant Psychiatrist