Why is Anxiety increasing In the Western Countries of the World?
We all must have read in many health and fitness magazines that more than 40% world’s population suffers from cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack or high BP. What are the exact causes of these health disorders? It may be consumption of junk food or stress or anxiety or all of them. Every year, many people suffer from anxiety in the United States and other countries of North America.
Today, we will discuss the definition of anxiety and its causes, symptoms and lots more.
Meaning of Anxiety
The exact definition of anxiety is a worry. It arises before doing any important activity such as appearing for exams or office presentation or performing on stage. As per the experts, the worry is totally uncontrollable and unreasonable.
The sudden events in life and negative incidents in the past may give rise to anxiety in the future. It is a human tendency to feel anxious in any dangerous situations. The anxiety arrives at inappropriate times.
The people who feel anxious all the time often find it difficult to relax and remain cool. The anxiety is not a big health disorder but, it can, however, change into a major health issue if proper care is not taken.
Reasons for Anxiety
Anxiety can occur suddenly before any situation. It may arrive in the exam hall, office, school or college. It can also arrive among the group of people. According to one of the studies, anxiety is increasing day by day in the United States.
Many people in the US purchase the books to find the solution to their anxiety. This fact is disclosed by some of the booksellers. It is one of the most common problems in the advanced countries.
The causes of anxiety can be due to some panic disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder or phobia. When you fear about something, that fear can turn into anxiety.
More than 40 million adults in the US suffer from mental illness as per one of the sources. Now, we will discuss the causes of anxiety. There is no actually exact cause of anxiety. The main reason for anxiety is sadness. One can feel sad at many times such as chronic pain, the death of a loved one, substance abuse, sleep or at any other time.
Other major reasons for anxiety are the over-ambitious nature of the people in the society. With the growing age, man has more desires such as a car, a big house, and luxuries. According to some studies, the people with good looks and money are more anxious than the ones who have average looks and money.
Some of the experts state that today people have more extrinsic goals than rather being happy and contented in life. This is the main reason why people get depression and anxiety. Desires and ambitions are some of the major causes of anxiety among Western people.
Aloneness
Many old aged people live alone in western countries because of many reasons such as the death of a spouse or anything else. There are many youngsters who stay with their families because of studies and career.
In the United States, about 1/3rd of the population lives alone. This may lead to depression and Alzheimer’s disease. The common anxiety disorders include nervousness and social anxiety disorder. Some people get chronic pain in anxiety. One becomes anxious when there is a pain.
Symptoms of Anxiety
The symptoms of anxiety vary from person to person and age. Some of the most common symptoms are as under:
The person gets restless often in any situation. The irritation is also another symptom found in many people
One feels lonely and isolated all the time.
There is a lack of sleep or Insomnia.
One cannot focus or concentrate on the work.
There is no energy or stamina in the body for doing any activity.
You do not feel hungry and there is a loss of appetite.
One gets helpless in many situations and feels there is no hope ahead.
There is a feeling of hatred towards society and also for self.
The person does not get interested in doing even his favorite activities.
There is a sudden weight loss or gain.
One of the most symptoms of anxiety is a suicidal tendency.
One feels guilty all the time for something or other.
Is anxiety a major problem in the United States?
Many studies reveal that mental illness is the common problem in the United States. The people of lower socioeconomic status have more anxiety than the rest. However, in the developing countries, there is more anxiety.
It is also revealed that the people in less advanced nations are prone to anxiety because of many reasons such as earning livelihood or safety. In many poor nations, there is not enough food or water which may be the reasons for anxiety for people.
The people in developing countries have to struggle hard for earning income which naturally brings more anxiety. The countries with low-income groups have lesser anxiety than middle-income and high-income countries.
The countries of Europe, North America, and Africa have more depression and anxiety. However, the level of anxiety is lower in the case of older people. It is right to say that anxiety is a common problem in the United States.
Poll Results
A poll was conducted by the American Psychiatric Association on U.S residents in the year 2017. More than 60% of people were anxious about their safety, health and job matters. Some of them were anxious about their career goals.
The association also compared the data from the last 2 to 3 years and found that the current generation is more anxious about anything. Some teenagers got anxiety because of an emotional movie. The movies have actually contributed to the increase in mental health issue in the United States.
With the passing generation in the United States, the people get more anxiety. Most of the Americans have somatic symptoms. The anxiety and depression increase every 4-5 years.
A study was also conducted on the European continent. It was published that more than 1/3rd of people have mental health issues in various parts of Europe. The anxiety disorders are found in many residents due to one or the other reason.
As per one of the sources, the anxiety level is lesser in Europe than American and there is no increase in the anxiety level in last few years. More than 50% get anxiety because of the genes as it is a genetic factor.
Does a social media medium give rise to anxiety?
Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter are becoming famous all over the world. All of us access these sites at least once in a day.
According to one of the studies, social media is the major cause of anxiety these days. More than 1 billion people use Facebook today. Surprisingly, there is a direct link between anxiety and social media platforms.
The people who access social media sites particularly at night have lower self-esteem and higher levels of stress and anxiety.
Another study revealed that the teenagers between the ages of 18-22 years who use social media sites have more stress and anxiety.
But again, there are two perspectives here. One may use social media sites for making new friends which will automatically decrease the level of depression and anxiety.
On the other hand, overuse of social media sites can also invite the problem of anxiety. So, it depends on person to person and it is also a subjective matter whether social media sites cause anxiety or not.
We cannot, however, tell that social media site is a cause of anxiety. It is because there are many youngsters who do not use the social media sites regularly but may have anxiety and stress.
Treatment for Anxiety
There are some of the best treatments for anxiety which are as under:
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Negative thinking can cause emotional as well as mental problems in the humans. This therapy will help the people to identify and challenge the problems as they come their way. It gives positive thoughts in a person. It suggests skills and behaviors for good life. CBT is one of the most useful treatments for anxiety which change the outlook of people towards the world.
Medications
There are some drugs which can treat the anxiety and depression both such as serotonin reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, and atypical antidepressants.
Other ways
Meditation walks and relaxation therapies can also become some of the best treatments for anxiety. Even yoga or tai chi can help. Acupuncture may help to stop the pain.
Final words
Anxiety is thus a problem we can avoid with different therapies. But, the biggest causes of anxiety are stress and fear. So now, it is time to change our outlook towards the life and show the positive changes in the attitude and behavior for a better life.
