JUNE 29 — I never truly understood what anxiety attacks were. Not until they happened to me. This column isn't about me, though, but about how pervasive anxiety truly is.

Much the way saying you feel depressed isn't the same as having depression, saying you're anxious doesn't mean you have an anxiety disorder.  It is normal to be anxious on occasion, but anxiety disorder is anxiety at levels and frequency that hinder a person from living well.

Anxiety as a disorder often occurs alongside other disorders including PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), obsessive-compulsive disorder as well as depression.

My own anxiety was a precursor to a nervous breakdown I had, triggered by a toxic work environment (at the time). I still remember sitting down at work to start my day and then suddenly finding myself hyperventilating, my heart beating too fast, my hands shaking as I tried to type.

I didn't understand then, what I do know, that I was having an episode. The first time was terrifying. When it started happening again and again, triggered by my sitting down to start work, I knew I had to quit my job or risk my health.

Anxiety disorders can be triggered by many different things, for different people. For me, it was my helpless anger and frustration knowing that the office supervisor had installed remote software to spy on what I was doing at work. For some, it can be visiting places that increase their anxiety -- perhaps a big event, a gathering or some other stressful occasion.

There isn't as much data on how many Malaysians are affected by anxiety  but in the US, anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness, affecting 18 per cent of the population. That's 40 million adults, of 18 and older. Yet only a third is estimated to be receiving treatment, despite anxiety disorders being highly treatable.

Part of the reason many people with anxiety disorders don't get treatment is because they don't realise they have the condition. The physical symptoms can easily be mistaken for illness.

It's a heavy toll on those who have the disease. It's estimated those with anxiety disorder are three to five times more likely to go to the doctor and six times more likely to be hospitalised for psychiatric disorders than those not suffering from anxiety.

If you're feeling pervasive, overwhelming and constant feelings of anxiety, consider, at the very least, counselling. Though it is important to enjoy the company of family and friends, when it comes to mental health, it is better to deal with professionals.

If you can take the effort to look after your physical health, then understand there is no shame or nothing out of the ordinary about caring about your mental health.

For advice on where to get help with mental health issues, contact the Malaysian Mental Health Association (MMHA) or perhaps ask your GP. You can call MMHA at 03-77825499 or drop an email at [email protected].

*This is the personal opinion of the columnist.