As humans, we experience a broad range of emotions which serve an important role in helping us to adapt to different life situations. Anxiety is one of our most important emotions.
What is anxiety?
It is the state of emotion that becomes activated in the face of danger or threat. Anxiety is a warning signal of this threat. We are probably all familiar with the increased heart rate, sweating, shaking and changed breathing which occurs when we are anxious. Because anxiety is triggered by perceptions of threat or danger, it enables us to survive. But, and this is a large but, there is good or healthy anxiety, and there is bad or unhealthy anxiety. Healthy anxiety (such as we might feel if someone threatens to attack us) is a protection. Bad anxiety is a burden in our lives.
Good anxiety is like a functional burglar alarm that goes off when there is an attempted burglary. We are able to protect our house and ward off intruders. Bad anxiety is like a faulty burglar alarm that constantly goes off when there are no intruders. We become afraid as we search for the burglars. The police or alarm company arrives, but there is no threat. What a waste of resources!
Unhealthy anxiety is anxiety that occurs in the face of little or no threat. This is called an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders are very common and can range in severity from being mild to quite incapacitating. But the good news is that these disorders are fully treatable, and the earlier they are treated the better the prognosis or outcome. Anxiety disorders are best treated by a combination of psychiatric medications and psychological therapy.
By Dr Graham Lindegger, Akeso Pietermaritzburg.