Following up on our earlier articles on mental health and mental illness, we present a set of disorders loosely grouped together under “anxiety.”
Anxiety is the body’s response to worry and fear. But sometimes the anxiety can become so intense that we may experience an overwhelming sense of dread, and even think we are going to die. It can appear out of the blue and can escalate into a panic attack. That was the experience of this young woman.
Jessica was preparing breakfast for her daughter, who was getting ready for school. Her husband John had already left for office. Jessica herself had an important appointment with her boss that afternoon, and she was a little tensed about it. Suddenly she felt as though the ground was giving way under her feet. Everything appeared fuzzy. Her chest began to tighten and she found it difficult to breathe. Her face and hands started dripping with sweat. She was petrified. She thought she was going to choke or have a heart attack. She supported herself on the kitchen counter. “Mummy, are you alright?” he daughter asked in concern. “Call daddy!’ she told her, “and tell him to come home immediately.”
FR JOSE PARAPPULLY SDB
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