Stress is the body's response to pressure. Anxiety is when worry is persistent, hard to control and starts to affect sleep, work or relationships. Low mood that does not lift can be a sign of depression. All of these are common, and all deserve to be taken seriously.
Common Signs
- Constant worry or a sense of dread.
- Restlessness, irritability and trouble concentrating.
- A racing heart, tight chest, sweating or trembling.
- Poor sleep and stomach upset.
- Avoiding situations that make you uneasy.
- Low mood, losing interest in things you enjoyed, or feeling hopeless for more than a couple of weeks.
When to See a Doctor Promptly
- Thoughts of harming yourself. Seek help at once: call your local emergency number, or in India call the Tele-MANAS helpline on 14416.
- Panic attacks with chest pain, so that a heart cause can be excluded.
- Anxiety so strong that you cannot carry on with daily life.
- A child or teenager whose behaviour or sleep has changed suddenly.
In an emergency, go to the nearest hospital.
What Dr. Arpana Highlights
Dr. Arpana draws a clear line between feeling low for a day or two and depression. Everyone feels sad, worried or restless at times and is better the next day. When the sadness, hopelessness or worry does not go away, it may be depression and deserves help. Signs she lists are low mood, losing interest in things you used to enjoy, very low energy, changes in appetite (eating very little or too much) and changes in sleep (too much or too little).
Her advice is to share what you feel instead of bottling it up: talk to a family member, partner, parent or sibling, or write your feelings down if there is no one you feel comfortable with. She asks families to notice sudden mood changes in someone close to them, and to spend time with them. Therapy together with medicine, when a doctor advises it, can help people feel positive again. In a homeopathic consultation she takes the whole case, and the mental and emotional symptoms are an important guide.
If you ever have thoughts of harming yourself, seek help immediately: call your local emergency number, or in India call Tele-MANAS on 14416. No outcome is promised, and do not stop prescribed medicines without talking to your doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is anxiety a medical condition?
It can be. When it is persistent and affects daily life, it deserves proper assessment, not just advice to relax.
Can I use homeopathy with my current medicines?
Many patients do. Never stop or change a prescribed medicine without talking to your doctor, and tell Dr. Arpana everything you take.
How are children and teenagers handled?
A parent or guardian books and takes part in the consultation. The physician decides what suits the child after the consultation.
You can book a consultation or read the frequently asked questions. This page is for general education and is not a substitute for personal medical advice.