What is Anxiety?
Aahara sat on the edge of her bed, staring at her hands. They were trembling again. Her chest felt like it was caving in, and her thoughts were racing so fast that she couldn’t grasp a single one. She wasn’t running from a wild animal or standing in front of a crowd, but her body acted as if she were. A knot twisted in her stomach, making her feel nauseated. The air in the room felt heavier than usual, as though it were conspiring against her to make breathing just that little bit harder.
Her phone buzzed on the nightstand, the name "Nikita" lighting up the screen. It was her best friend, calling to confirm their lunch plans. Aahara had already texted Nikita twice that morning, first saying she’d be a little late, then coming up with a vague excuse about a “last-minute work deadline.” Now Nikita wanted to call and make sure everything was okay.
But Aahara couldn’t answer the phone. Even the thought of talking to Nikita felt overwhelming. She had no idea how to explain all the different thoughts and worries that were going through her head. Her mind spun through its daily cycle of worries, which all felt uncontrollable. “Did I forget to send that email? What if my boss thinks I’m incompetent?” “I should check on my parents. What if something happens to them, and I didn’t call in time?” “I don’t feel right. What if I have some undiagnosed illness and the doctors just missed it?” No amount of reassurance ever silenced these thoughts. The moment one worry faded, another took its place.
She tried to reason with herself. “There’s nothing actually wrong. There’s no reason to keep fretting like this. Go with Nikita for now, attend to the things you are concerned about later.” But logic never seemed to win. The worries in her head sprung from one thing to another and the harder she tried to control, the more she realized that she couldn’t, which contributed to her worries even more. She had been living like this ever since her mother was sick a few months ago. Aahara had to take care of her mother completely. But now her mother was healthy again but yet, Aahara’s worries persisted. It wasn’t just before big events or high-pressure situations, it was all the time.
Even when she was lying in bed at night, exhausted, her mind wouldn’t let her rest. “Did I lock the door?” “Should I check again?” “What if I wake up to bad news tomorrow?” “What if tomorrow is the day everything falls apart?” Hours would pass, and sleep would evade her.
She wasn’t just nervous. She wasn’t just overthinking. She had Generalized Anxiety Disorder, a type of anxiety disorder which made even the most ordinary parts of life feel overwhelming. And no matter how much she wanted to stop the thoughts, to silence the fears, anxiety clung to her like an unshakable shadow.
Note: Aahara and her story is fictional
Aahara’s experience might seem extreme, but for millions of people around the world, it’s a reality. Based on a study conducted by Risal et al. (2016) among 2100 people all across Nepal, the prevalence of anxiety is 22.7%. That’s 70,14,300 people affected with anxiety.
Anxiety is more than just feeling nervous before a presentation or jittery before an important event. It’s a complex mental health condition that can make ordinary tasks feel insurmountable.
At its core, anxiety is a natural response to stress. It’s your brain’s way of keeping you alert to potential danger. Imagine you’re walking through the woods and hear a rustle in the bushes. Your body floods with adrenaline, preparing you to fight, flee, or freeze. This is your body’s fight-or-flight response, and it’s a helpful survival mechanism when there’s an actual threat.
The key difference between fear and anxiety lies in their triggers. Fear is a response to an immediate, real danger—like encountering a wild animal in the woods. It’s a short-lived reaction that helps you take action in the face of a specific threat. Anxiety, on the other hand, is often future-focused, triggered by perceived threats that may never materialize. It lingers, creating a sense of unease and worry, even when no immediate danger is present. While fear fades once the threat is gone, anxiety can persist, making everyday situations feel just as alarming as life-threatening ones.
The problem arises when this response gets stuck in overdrive. For someone with an anxiety disorder, their brain sounds the alarm even when there’s no immediate danger. A casual conversation, a grocery trip, or even sitting in silence can trigger the same physiological reactions as facing a life-threatening situation.
Such physiological reactions can be:
- Fastened heart rate
- Shortness of breath
- Tightness in the chest
- Nausea or stomach pain
- Muscle tension
- Sweating or trembling
These sensations can be terrifying, leading to thoughts like, “Am I having a heart attack? Am I dying?” Many people with anxiety also experience insomnia, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating, making even the simplest tasks feel overwhelming.
It is also important to emphasize that anxiety is an umbrella term for many different types. Some types of anxiety are:
1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
2. Panic Disorder
3. Social Anxiety Disorder
4. Specific Phobia
5. Agoraphobia
6. Separation Anxiety Disorder
7. Selective Mutism
Aahara’s story sheds light on the often hidden yet pervasive struggles that anxiety brings. It serves as a reminder that anxiety isn't just a fleeting feeling of nervousness, it's a mental and physical burden that can take over someone's entire existence. But it’s important to remember that while anxiety may feel like an inescapable maze, there are ways to navigate through it.
Seeking support is the first step. Whether through therapy, conversations with loved ones, mindfulness practices, or medical treatment, there are tools to help individuals regain control over their lives. Aahara’s journey is far from over, but by acknowledging her anxiety and taking small steps toward healing, she’s moving toward a life defined by courage rather than fear.
If you or someone you know struggles with anxiety, know that you're not alone. There is a path forward, one filled with compassion, understanding, and resilience. If you want a counselling session, you can fill this form or contact +977 980-1031443.
With the right support, even the heaviest burdens can lighten.
Author: Karmendra Prakash Shrestha