When a Normal Response to Stress Becomes a Mental Health Condition

“ Anxiety disorders are the most common mental ailments, affecting nearly 30% of adults at some point in their lives.” 

– American Psychiatry Association, 2021

Imagine this: You’re constantly on edge, plagued by worry, doubt, and a hyperactive mind. This invisible monster is called anxiety. It might surprise you, but anxiety is actually a part of our body’s natural response to stress, keeping us alert and ready to face potential threats. However, when it’s on overdrive it transforms into excessive, persistent fear, and becomes an obstacle in daily life. If this resonates, you’re not alone in this battle. In fact, anxiety disorders are the most common mental ailments, affecting nearly 30% of adults at some point in their lives.

‘The Puerto Rican Syndrome’

While anxiety is a universal experience, its manifestation can be influenced by culture. Consider “ataque de nervios,” often referred to as, ‘The Puerto Rican Syndrome’. This is a unique phenomenon to Latino cultures, particularly those in the Caribbean. It’s a culturally bound syndrome where anxiety and fear become your body’s default response to stimulus. The symptoms include intense fear, an inability to move, uncontrollable crying, and sensations of heat rising from the chest to the head, often resembling those of a panic attack.

Anxiety Causes

Ataque de nervios can be triggered by a wide range of situations, such as having underlying psychiatric illnesses, particularly mood disorders, and experiencing significant family distress . Those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are the most vulnerable due to the amplified stress in everyday life.

It’s clear that anxiety disorders are not a one-size-fits-all matter. These complex experiences often require personalized professional intervention for effective management, and it’s crucial to distinguish between ordinary nervousness and an anxiety disorder. While the former can often be managed through self-care, an anxiety disorder typically requires professional help.

According to the American Psychiatry Association:

“In a typical year, it’s estimated that the percentages of U.S. adults who experience different types of anxiety disorders are as follows:

• Specific Phobia: 8% and 12% of adults.
• Social Anxiety Disorder: 7% of adults.
• Panic Disorder: 2% and 3% of adults.
• Agoraphobia:1-2.9% of adolescents and adults.
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder: 2% of adults.
• Separation Anxiety Disorder: between 0.9% and 1.9% of adults.”

Diagnosis

Tools like the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) questionnaire can help identify potential cases of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and evaluate symptom severity. Developed by Dr. Robert L. Spitzer and Dr. Kurt Kroenke, this tool, while valuable, should not serve as a substitute for professional diagnoses. It’s a stepping stone that can help you recognize symptoms that might require further evaluation by a qualified mental health professional.

Your mental health is not a luxury—it’s a vital part of living a fulfilling life. If you think you might be dealing with an anxiety disorder or experiencing something akin to “ataque de nervios”, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Mental health professionals can guide you, creating a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. Seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness. Resources are available to help you navigate your journey. So take that first brave step today and seek the assistance you need to manage your anxiety.

Resources

• Verywell Mind. (n.d.). “Ataque de Nervios: Overview and More.” Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/ataque-de-nervios-2671733
• The Guardian. (2018, August 7). “Despair and anxiety in Puerto Rico’s wreckage.” Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/aug/07/despair-and-anxiety-puerto-ricos-living-emergency-as-a-mental-health-crisis-unfolds
• Tandfonline. (1989). “The acculturation of Cuban women to the United States and its effect on mental health.” Retrieved from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07399338909515852
• PubMed. (n.d.). “The incidence of PTSD after hurricane Andrew.” Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9285988/
• Wiley Online Library. (n.d.). “Mental health and mental disorders in the Latino and Hispanic population in the United States.” Retrieved from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/wps.20671
• National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). “Anxiety Disorders.” Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders/index.shtml