Query

“I’m a 20-year-old student who has just finished high school. My request for a visa to the US was denied. Though I have tried to stay positive, I’m really worried that this setback will hamper my career. I’m anxious and that makes me overthink things. I can’t seem to concentrate on what’s important and I have stopped being productive. How do I deal with this anxiety? –R.P  Answered by Rishav Koirala, psychiatrist and researcher

It’s entirely normal that you are having trouble deciding on the right academic and professional path during this transitional period. It’s also normal to feel uncertain and worried right now. Don’t beat yourself for it. But if you are worried about how your anxiousness might affect your life, there are a few things that I’d like you to consider.  

The rejection of the visa was a negative experience, and as a result, the body naturally began to feel the negative energy. The anxiety was a result of your inability to accept the incident. Being anxious isn’t always a bad thing. It may energize us, keep us attentive, alert us to dangers, and inspire us to find solutions. However, if anxiety interferes with your capacity to function, it can be a problem. Anxiety can be an indication of a mental health issue if it is chronic, strong, difficult to regulate, or out of proportion with your circumstances. Anxiety can be classified as either normal or abnormal. It’s common to have anxiety every now and then. However, strong, excessive, and continuous worry and panic over everyday situations is known as abnormal anxiety disorder. To distinguish between normal and abnormal anxiety, it’s necessary to understand a few things. It’s important to identify how long the anxiety has been present. Anxiety should be considered a significant disorder if it lasts for three or more months. Identifying the symptoms comes after that. Some symptoms of abnormal anxiety include shortness of breath, lack of attention, low confidence, and persistent restlessness. Based on the information you have provided I’d say you seem to have mild symptoms. The main symptom you are experiencing is known as anxious overloading. But you also need to evaluate how anxiety is affecting your daily life. Even though you might not have severe symptoms, the impact of anxiety on your quality of life cannot be overlooked. You might require the help of professionals who can guide you in the right way. But there are some things you can do to tackle this dreary feeling by yourself too. Meditation and exercise are some things that you could benefit from. Eliminating caffeine, alcohol, and energy drinks could be helpful as well. I’d also suggest you talk to your loved ones, relatives, or friends who might be able to provide you with a different viewpoint on your situation. Also, reduce potential triggers by managing stress apart from following a balanced diet and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule.