Anxiety as the Root of Modern Health Woes
Modern society grapples with widespread anxiety, from vaccine side effect fears to everyday stressors. Officials promote public health measures, yet many experience heightened unease. Experts highlight that unchecked anxiety triggers a cascade of issues, positioning it as a potential national health crisis.
The Biology of Anxiety Signals
Anxiety serves as the body’s warning system, capable of generating new cells even after threats subside. During crises, sensory nerves activate, adrenaline surges, and heart rates accelerate to prepare for action. In ancient times, wild animals posed real dangers; today, social interactions and media constantly stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, fostering chronic dissatisfaction and elevated anxiety.
Healthy Anxiety vs. Pathological Forms
Appropriate anxiety drives personal growth, sharpening focus and strengthening relationships despite initial fears. However, when it persists, daily life turns chaotic. Pathological anxiety disrupts concentration and strains major connections. Conditions like panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder fall into this category.
Four Key Conditions Fueled by Sudden Anxiety
Sudden anxiety episodes provoke insomnia, indigestion, chronic pain, and depression—four prevalent issues threatening public health. These symptoms reveal underlying vulnerabilities, affecting physical and mental well-being across diverse groups, including high-profile figures in entertainment.
Expert Insights from Seoul National University Professor Jeon Hong-jin
Professor Jeon Hong-jin, from the Department of Psychiatry at Seoul National University, explains that people often mistake worry-generation for relief. “Ordinary individuals believe fueling anxiety eases it, but that’s not the case,” he states. “Turning to alcohol during anxious moments only intensifies the problem.”
Brain fixation on past regrets or future worries exacerbates sleeplessness, thickening neural pathways and hindering rest. “Anxious individuals ruminate on bygones or tomorrow’s troubles rather than the present, amplifying sensory overload,” Professor Jeon notes. Negative predictions create self-fulfilling fears, such as public speaking phobia rooted in anticipated failure.
Yet, structured approaches help. Professor Jeon advocates mental rehearsals: “Those with anxiety who repeatedly visualize failure build resilience through practice—it’s effective training.” Essential strategies include deep breathing to redirect energy and reframe hopes during unavoidable stress.
Addressing these four anxiety-driven conditions demands proactive management to prevent them from dominating national health landscapes.
