Imagine this - Monday morning, you’re scrolling through your Instagram feed and BAM! Another headline about rising sea levels, wildfires, or plastic islands in the ocean. Your stomach tightens. You feel guilty about the plastic cup in your hand. You start wondering if you should sell everything and live off the grid.
Growing your own vegetables and knitting your own clothes out of ethically sourced items. Not gonna lie this is my retirement plan but I don't wanna do it right away!
But anyway, welcome to eco-anxiety, my friend. It’s that creeping sense of doom that comes with realising our planet is in trouble, and we humans are kind of responsible. But this is not just a passing worry for all; for some, it's an overwhelming fear of dread.
Some of us may even be hearing this word for the first time, but surprise, surprise, this topic has been extensively studied since 2007.
Oh, absolutely! The American Psychological Association has officially recognised it and described it as “a chronic fear of environmental doom.”
Although not officially listed in the DSM-5, that basically means it’s not diagnosable yet, but the severity of eco anxiety in mental health is real.
In simpler terms, it's the sudden blast of worry, such as feeling panicky all the time when you see a video of a sea turtle choking on plastic, or a polar bear looking extremely skinny.
This is why climate change is not just a political issue; it keeps you up late at night wondering if your kids or grandkids will even have breathable air.
How did we end up like this? I don't think it’s entirely based on one generation or two. It had to start earlier because, like it or not, we are on thin ice when it comes to global warming (got the pun?).
Here are a few reasons why eco-anxiety even came into the picture :
I remember since I was a child, the information channel, such as Discovery or National Geographic, always had something playing about climate change, pollution, or the animal kingdom facing hardships to hunt food because of us humans.
This form of continuous exposure was bound to take a toll on certain people; the more we heard about it, the more anxious we got.
We have seen it all: Taylor Swift or Kim Kardashian taking their private planes for a 45-minute trip or to get their favourite savoury dessert, or even corporations responsible for a high volume of pollution.
But then, here we are, trying to recycle plastic bottles and drinking from a paper straw that gets soggy within 15 minutes. You can taste the paper with your vanilla milkshake (extra flavor).
Anyone who has had to live through a natural disaster, water shortages, or extreme heat waves knows how traumatic or bothersome it can be. This shows that eco-anxiety isn’t just theoretical but personal as well.
Even though it is not entirely a single person’s fault, you believe it needs to be fixed and that you are responsible for it.
As mentioned earlier, the new generation is being brought up in a world worse than before. Millennials and Gen-Z can see the differences and are more prone to stress over their possible future.
What you really need to understand is that eco anxiety isn’t just about worrying. It can creep into your daily life in surprising ways. If you think any of these symptoms mentioned below resonate with the way you feel, we advise you to visit a mental health practitioner.
Physical health- Sleepless nights due to fear, headache, nausea, loss of appetite or anxious stomach.
Mental health - Stressed that things are falling apart, extreme anxiety with what you consume and use, panic attacks, irritability, guilt, frustration or depression.
Obsessive thoughts - Constant thoughts on climate change, researching worst case scenarios, feeling scared of uncertainty, affecting day to day activities since you are distracted with environmental changes and news.
Doom - Sticking to the idea that there is nothing that can be undone and we’re in a ship that’s on its way to hit the iceberg (that’s if we even have ice left). Basically past the point of saving Mother Earth.
While eco anxiety can hit anyone, some groups feel it more intensely. Cultural background also plays a role. In some societies, the environment is deeply rooted to identity, spiritual beliefs, or economic survival. When these are threatened, eco anxiety can be even more intense.
Although most studies done on Eco Anxiety are taken from a Western approach, there is a need from the other side of the world. This way we get a clearer picture of how it affects the indigenous people or communities.
There is a greater likelihood that children are at risk for mental health problems resulting from climate change, due to their more sensitive responses to extreme weather events, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and sleep disorders.
Climate change can directly affect their ancestral lands and farms, leaving them stranded and vulnerable. They might even face disparities in infrastructure and health resources.
Eco-anxiety is common among naturalists and climate scientists due to their knowledge and emotional attachments to nature.
Those living in flood-prone, drought, or disaster-prone areas experience eco anxiety due to their real life experiences. Even a minor injury or stress resulting from extreme weather events can make them vulnerable to developing anxiety related to climate change.
Did you know? Researchers at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) found that people who survived Hurricane Katrina in 2005 were 4% more likely to have mental illnesses such as post-traumatic stress disorder.
Everyone surely has their own way of handling things, but here are a few suggestions we provide.
Acceptance- Begin by acknowledging what you feel is real and it's okay. Accepting your eco-anxiety is the first step to managing it.
Limit doom scrolling - I am aware how addicting it is to use social media and staying informed is good, but obsessing over the uncertain or worst case scenarios? Not really, as it can affect your mental health. Take breaks.
Meaningful actions - Individual efforts can make a difference, take baby steps - it doesn’t matter when or how you start it. Reduce plastic use, or waste, go for more sustainable products and lifestyle. Heck! go and join community groups that align with your goals.
Exposure - Meeting new people that understand how you feel and care for nature can help you reduce your anxiety and take more actions. Get in touch with your roots, have a stroll in the park, connect with nature and clean your surroundings.
Therapy - Rather than focusing on the bad things, try looking for solutions and positive aspects. Some therapists are trained to handle eco anxiety and if you feel that the anxiety could slowly be taking over your life decisions go and visit a mental health practitioner.
The climate crisis is real and so is the anxiety. It's good to raise awareness and care about the people and the planet. It shows you as a strong person but it is also important to remember that feeling anxious about it to a point that it tampers with your health is dangerous.
Instead try to channelise this rage and worry into something meaningful.
It’s okay if changes don't happen quickly, it's the thought and tiny actions that count.
What is Eco Anxiety?
Eco anxiety is a term used for extreme fear of the present and future environment. A sudden form of panic attack and anxiety for not being able to control the inevitable and always thinking of the worse case.
Is Eco Anxiety a medical condition?
The American Psychological Association has officially recognized it as a medical condition but is yet to be included in the DSM - 5 (i.e., not officially a diagnosable condition by doctors).
Don't worry though, there are trained therapists who deal with eco anxiety.
What are the causes of Eco Anxiety?
Many factors contribute to it but here are some of them - exposure to climate change, sense of powerlessness, first hand experience and stress.
What are the symptoms of Eco Anxiety?
Feeling anxious, irritable, stressed or having sleepless nights and headaches are few symptoms. If you feel like this worry is disrupting your flow of work it could be a serious sign.
Who is more prone to catching Eco Anxiety?
Nobody is really safe from eco anxiety, anyone can catch it but there are certain groups of people who could be more vulnerable to it, such as - children, indigenous people who are deeply connected to the environment, people who have gone through traumatic environmental disasters or scientists and naturalists.
