What is “Anxiety” by Bad Religion about?

This blog answers: What is “Anxiety” by Bad Religion about? What is Anxiety? What are the signs and symptoms of anxiety? What are the causes of anxiety? What are some ways to manage anxiety? What are the therapy options for anxiety?

What is “Anxiety” by Bad Religion about?

“Anxiety” by Bad Religion is a song by the artist Bad Religion released in 1989. The song highlights various elements of anxiety as a mental health condition and the challenges it entails. The artist acknowledges the fact that experiencing anxiety can exhaust a person day by day and “decay” them.

He mentions how many individuals do not share what they feel and experience with anxiety rather put on a smile to show the world that they are doing well, to avoid embarrassment and judgment. He points out that anxiety is one such condition that cannot be voluntarily controlled by individuals due to the possible number of triggers in one’s environment.

He establishes the fact that even though anxiety cannot be controlled by individuals it can be suppressed in ways that help individuals get through the day. However, individuals must understand that this could also be the reason for the build of anxiety over the period resulting in an anxiety attack. 

The artist mentions how anxiety can be an overwhelming experience and drains out all the hope from individuals who experience it. In the process, people lower their guards and submit themselves to the demons(severe symptoms)  of anxiety.

Even though every individual has their own ways to deal with stress, anxiety, and other challenges. The symptoms experienced by those who battel anxiety might get them to the same standpoint some time or the other where people feel overwhelmed and give up on their life.

“Anxiety” by Bad Religion –

It’s a love song to the self

A story recapped every day

It’s a world of bogus feelings

And a world of slow decay

It’s a world of laughter hidden by this world of fear and torment

A game of strange compulsion, our visceral convulsion

Anxiety for love of life

Anxiety for pain

Anxiety, is a feeling that you know you can’t contain

Anxiety destroys us but it drives the common man

Foundation of society

Anxiety

Suppress it if you can

The caste of coffee-achievers didn’t perform like they planned

The morning rush hour traffic is our play of false elan

So run around your frantic track and lay you down to sleep

Tomorrow’s the redemption

We strive for that exception

Anxiety for love of life

Anxiety for pain

Anxiety is a fear that you have nothing more to gain

Anxiety destroys us but it drives the common man

Foundation of society

Anxiety

Suppress it if you can

What are we angry for?

We all need a common cure

That common goal for which you strive

To have more than the other guy

The quest for the truth

The quest for the gold

We end up all the same

The common lie

The righteous cry

We end up all the same

The angry crowd

Those lost and found

Everybody’s all the same

The poet’s pen

These words I lend

We all bend to anxiety

What is Anxiety?

Problems and resulting stress are usually accompanied by some common emotions like confusion, feeling at the edge, a sense of helplessness, and recurrent negative thoughts which can collectively be seen as an individual experiencing what’s commonly called  Anxiety. 

Every human has their unique ways of dealing with these difficult situations and the following emotions, some try to adapt to the circumstances and find the best and most comfortable solution while others try to find an escape route for the same, in both cases the main aim is usually to get over the uncomfortable emotions of anxiety. 

What are the signs and symptoms of anxiety? 

Anxiety is characterized by a set of signs and symptoms such as:

 

• Sweating
• Difficulty in breathing
• Shortness of breath
• Sense of choking
• Complaints of chest pain
• Shaking or trembling
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness or Lightheadedness
• Fear of losing control over oneself and their environment
• Fear of impending doom
• Hot or cold flashes
• Tingling or numbness
• Increased heart rate

These symptoms vary in severity from person to person. However, it is noted that many people experience anxiety attacks that are not significantly displayed.

What are the causes of anxiety?

Anxiety often results from accumulated stress or overwhelming feelings. Some common causes of anxiety include.

• Increased and challenging situations and demands in day-to-day life.
• Major changes in family dynamics such as marriage, divorce, death of a loved one.
• Strain interpersonal relationships
• Intrapersonal conflicts
• Ineffective coping mechanisms
• Comorbid conditions both physical and mental
• Chronic health conditions
• Genetic factors
• Changes in the brain region
• Overdose of caffeine
• Prolonged use of medications
• Significant traumatic experiences in the past or recent times
• Comorbid mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder or any other phobias.

What are some ways to manage anxiety?

Identify and acknowledge the triggers

The most significant strategy that can be used to control one’s anxiety is by identifying and acknowledging those triggers.

Being able to recognize what makes an individual anxious makes them better equipped to take action.

Relaxation techniques

 

Even though anxiety can be bought under an individual’s control it cannot be predicted. In such situations, it is necessary that an individual actively carries out relaxation techniques.

These might include meditation, yoga, and deep breathing which helps to reduce the intensity of anxiety within a short period.

Socialization

 

A key to reducing the frequency and intensity of anxiety attacks could be spending time with close family and friends.

The kind of emotional and practical support provided by these social and personal groups help the person feel connected and aid in distracting one’s mind from negative and recurring thoughts that lead to anxiety.

Apart from friends and families, individuals can also consider speaking to groups of people that are experiencing similar problems.

Set realistic goals

When an individual is feeling overwhelmed, setting goals and targets keeping in mind priorities can help resolve overwhelming feelings of fear or panic.

Setting goals provides structure and routine to an individual’s life reducing space for uncertainty which can be a major trigger for anxiety in many cases.

Take up new challenges

Apart from doing activities that an individual is usually fond of and has expertise in, trying new and challenging activities that put an individual outside their comfort zone in a healthy manner may help reduce the stress and anger temporarily.

Signing up for new activities also provides a path to meeting people with similar stories and concerns.

Lifestyle changes

An individual’s lifestyle plays a major role in their experience of anxiety. An unhealthy and busy lifestyle usually leads to unhealthy eating, lack of exercise, lack of adequate sleep.

A combination of a well-set diet, exercise, and sleep can help to regulate an individual’s mood and equip them with a favorable coping mechanism.

These coping mechanisms in turn help to get control over anxiety cognitivetherapy-behavioral concerns in a more adaptable manner.

lack of proper diet, sleep, and exercise can make an individual sluggish, dependent, moody and vulnerable to anxiety attacks.

Making journal entries

Last but not least having a journal to write down how a person is feeling and thinking when they are anxious helps them to reflect upon their thoughts and feelings.

Putting down one’s thoughts and feelings onto a paper helps to provide a sense of temporary relief.

In the case of journal entry, a person does not even have to fear being judged by another person regarding their thoughts and feelings.

What are the therapy options for anxiety?

Cognitive-behavioral therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps an individual to control their anxiety by using strategies like relaxation and breathing. It works on the principles of replacing negative thoughts with positive ones.

Exposure therapy

Exposure therapy is a kind of therapy in which an individual is exposed to a particular stimulus that they usually fear or are anxious about in a graded order.

As and when the individual gets comfortable with the situation or stimulus introduced or exposed to them with each session, individuals get more comfortable with a real-life situation that might have otherwise been a source for triggering anxiety.

Group therapy

 

It is based on the principle that when an individual interacts with other people who are suffering from the same fears they might not feel left alone or isolated. Group therapy usually involves a group of individuals who are experiencing similar symptoms and problems.

Medication

Anxiety can also be treated with the help of medication prescribed by a health care professional.

Though medication alone cannot help in reducing persistent anxiety it can help in restoring a sense of control and bring temporary relief. 

Online therapy  

In cases where reaching out physically to a professional is impossible or discomforting an individual can opt to seek help through the online medium. 

In this, the therapy sessions are carried out one-to-one over a video or audio call. Some individuals also prefer interacting with the therapist through text as well due to various reasons. One of the most common is the fear of being judged by the therapist or some personal hesitation. 

Online therapy can help individuals to regulate some aspects of their anxiety  which aids individuals in carrying out a stress-free life over time

Conclusion 

Experiencing anxiety can be very scary for many individuals either initially or over a period of time. It makes a person feel helpless and a sense of impending doom. Anxiety even though a mental condition can have physical impacts as well where people become start becoming weak due to severe symptoms like insomnia and lack of appetite.

Individuals must understand that anxiety can not have a cure, it can affect anyone, anytime however seeking help can help to restore their normal functioning gradually. To seek help, one must be aware of the various therapy options and self-help strategies that are accessible to them. 

 Citations 

https://songmeanings.com/songs/view/12290/

Video 1