Before Covid-19, it was believed that about one in six South Africans was battling anxiety, depression, or a substance disorder, according to the South African College of Applied Psychology. Post Covid-19, the figure is likely higher, considering that, globally, mental health stats have risen considerably.
Anxiety is on the rise
Last year, the World Health Organization reported that the pandemic triggered a 25% increase in the prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide. If you’re often hearing the words, “don’t worry so much” or “relax, you don’t always need to stress”, what you may be thinking of as harmless worry may, in fact, be an anxiety disorder that you should treat.
According to Clicks Wellness expert and clinical psychologist Lusanda Cebekhulu, “worry is a normal emotion in response to a real threat or situation and is generally short-lived. The type of worry experienced by a person with an anxiety disorder is often intense and is a response to a perceived threat even when there is proof that the threat is unreal.”
Signs of anxiety
“Anxiety can negatively affect your quality of life psychologically, physically and emotionally,” says Cebekhulu.
Psychological signs: Anxiety is typically persistent, intense and can interfere with your day-to-day functioning, says Cebekhulu. You may, for example, not manage to go to work and fulfil your responsibilities and/or experience a need to withdraw from being around your family and friends.
Emotional signs: “A person experiencing anxiety will likely struggle to relax, be tense and expect the worst to happen,” says Cebekhulu.
Physical signs: You may also develop physiological symptoms such as shortness of breath, palpitations or intense headaches as well as other physical manifestations. These include digestive issues such as abdominal pain, bloating, constipation and nausea, due to stress hormones entering your digestive system and disrupting its functioning. Cardiovascular-related symptoms such as a tight chest as well as dizziness are also possible.
How to manage anxiety
If you’ve experienced any of the above-mentioned symptoms, you should consider consulting a healthcare professional. There are a number of options available to treat anxiety; a qualified healthcare professional will be able to talk you through these and help you decide on a suitable course of treatment for your particular diagnosis.
Apart from medical help, try to speak to your family and friends about your anxiety, as they’ll be able to offer you the emotional support you need. If this isn’t an option, there are online communities that you can explore – but as with all things online and social media, tread carefully. The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) is a good place to start. They have 24-hour toll-free helplines – details on their website.