We want to know, what we feel is why we feel? We are mostly concerned about our emotional states, where one of our most unwelcomed emotional state is anxiety, and to understand the role that it plays in our lives―for better and for worse. It is not the human intent to present the case for eliminating anxiety, for being anxious is an important part of what it means to be human. We are often anxious about those aspects of our lives that we care most about: our health; our ability to clothe and feed ourselves and our family; and our ability to be connected and valued by others.
These feelings of anxiety and panic interfere with daily activities, are difficult to control, are out of proportion to the actual danger and can last a long time. You may avoid places or situations to prevent these feelings. Symptoms may start during childhood or the teen years and continue into adulthood.
- Very worried or afraid most of the time
- Tense and on edge
- Nervous or scared
- Panicky
- Irritable, agitated
- Worried you’re going crazy
- Detached from your body
- Feeling like you may vomit.
- Sleep problems (can’t get to sleep, wake often)
- Pounding heart
- Sweating
- ‘pins and needles’
- Tummy aches, churning stomach
- Lightheadedness, dizziness
- Twitches, trembling
- Problems concentrating
- Excessive thirst.
Trauma
Trauma is a factor which may increase the risk of developing anxiety and anxiety disorders. It is the response to an extremely distressing or disturbing event that overcomes an individual’s ability to cope, causes feelings of helplessness, diminishes their sense of self and their ability to feel the full range of emotions and experiences. Traumatic experience is severe psychological distress which trails any terrible or life-threatening event. Trauma sufferers may develop emotional disturbances such as extreme anxiety, anger, sadness, survivor’s guilt, or PTSD.
- Sadness
- Anger
- Denial
- Fear
- Shame
- Sleep problems (can’t get to sleep, wake often)
- Pounding heart
- Sweating
- ‘pins and needles’
- Tummy aches, churning stomach
- Lightheadedness, dizziness
- Twitches, trembling
- Problems concentrating
- Excessive thirst.
- PTSD
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Dissociative disorders
- Substance abuse problems
PILL journey in research on Mental Disorders
Pakistan Institute of living and learning has an optimistic view of providing professional help and carrying out researches in this regard. Extensive work has been done on different mental disorders. Currently there are ongoing reviews on anxiety disorders and its prevalence. In future there might be projects which encompass anxiety related problems countrywide and to provide mental health services in this regard.