H.Thapa
Dealing with Stress and Anxiety: When to Seek Help?
What are Stress and Anxiety?
In today’s world, stress and anxiety have become common issues among many Nepalese and yet are overlooked in a lot of cases. With the increasing pace of the world and an individual's responsibilities, stress management is crucial for a long lasting and healthy life.
Stress is a bodily response that takes place time to time in reaction with the challenges faced by an individual. Stress is a very common experience for everyone and we have to face it from time to time.
Anxiety is the feeling of uneasiness in certain situations and is generally a coping mechanism for a person during stress.
So why is stress and anxiety such a big mental health issue?
First we need to know about types of stress; There are two types of stress:
- Acute Stress: It is a short term of stress that comes and goes away quickly and happens quite often. It could be if you missed the bus, you forgot homework in school, etc. This type of stress is generally not harmful and is a part of our daily life.
- Chronic Stress: Chronic stress is the stress that lasts for weeks, months or more. It could be due to much larger problems that a person is facing everyday. If left unchecked, chronic stress may lead to much worse mental health that may lead to other worse health hazards.[1]
Now when it comes to anxiety the real issue is anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorder means an individual experiences anxiety on a daily basis for much longer time and in much higher intensity. There are also two types of anxiety disorders:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Generalized anxiety disorder is when someone is anxious about daily tasks and very general activities like work, about health, money, etc. Individuals with GAD often experience excessive worry, restlessness, and difficulty concentrating, even when there is no obvious reason for concern.
- Panic Disorder: Panic disorder means that someone is having panic attacks that are sudden without the presence of any kind of threats.Panic attacks can cause symptoms such as increased heart rate, dizziness, difficulty breathing.
- Phobias: Phobias are the fear of anything that poses no threat to an individual but is recurring with the same thing. For example phobias of cockroaches, cramped space, height, etc. [2]
Common Causes of Stress and Anxiety in Nepal
- Financial struggles - Unemployment and recent inflation have increased the pressure among family members, especially in the lower class.
- Academic pressure - Among undergraduate management students of Kathmandu, 60.9% and 43% were found to be under stress and anxiety respectively.
- Health concerns - Illness, pandemics, or lack of proper medical care, especially in rural areas, leads to increased stress among the family members of the patient.
- Ageing - Anxiety disorders among a sample size of 108 elderly men were prevalent in 52% of them. Social isolation, verbal or physical abuse, and loneliness contribute to anxiety among the elderly.
- Natural disasters - Nepal’s frequent incidents of earthquakes, landslides, and floods can trigger trauma and anxiety among citizens.
Managing Stress and Anxiety at Home
Managing stress at home can significantly improve mental well-being. Here are some effective ways:
- Practice relaxation techniques - Techniques like meditation, deep breathing exercises, and yoga help refresh the mind and relax from daily stress.
- Exercising regularly - Simple activities like a morning walk can help relax the mind and start the day with a fresh mood.
- Proper Sleep - Prioritize 7-8 hours of quality sleep daily, as sleep is directly or indirectly linked to various health concerns.
- Balanced Diet - A balanced diet is crucial for both mental and physical health. Excessive consumption of Ultra Processed Foods (UPF) is linked to increased mental disorders.
- Spend more time with friends and family - Spending time with loved ones, including pets, helps reduce stress and releases feel-good hormones like oxytocin.
- Quit smoking and alcohol - Alcohol and nicotine are linked to poor mental health, including anxiety and mood changes.
- Cut down on caffeine consumption - Intake of over 1000 mg/week of caffeine is associated with anxiety disorders and depression in both sexes.
When to Seek Professional Help?
- Persistent sadness, fear, or nervousness that lasts for weeks.
- Difficulty sleeping or frequent nightmares.
- Panic attacks, increased heart rate, or shortness of breath.
- Loss of interest in daily activities.
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
Why Choose Doctors House Call Service Nepal?
- Online mental health consultations - Confidential online sessions with experienced doctors at the comfort of your home.
- Personalized treatment plans - Guidance on lifestyle changes, therapy, and medication based on your needs.
- 24-hour support - We are available 24/7 for immediate help or any other support.
- Cost-effective - Doctors House Call Service offers a more affordable solution compared to hospital visits.
- Flexible Schedule - Customized schedules at any time of the day, tailored to your needs and preferences.
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