Imagine your heart racing before a big event. That uneasy sensation? It's anxiety, a universal emotion—and completely normal.
As the world marks International OCD Awareness Week (October 12–18), Dr. Wang Zhen, vice president of the Shanghai Mental Health Center, sheds light on why anxiety isn't always an enemy. In his words, 'Anxiety doesn't disappear just because you avoid it. The more bravely you confront it, the more likely you are to resolve the issue.'
Many people cope by avoiding stressful situations, enjoying temporary relief but often making anxiety worse over time. Others turn to repetitive rituals for comfort, a cycle that can evolve into obsessive-compulsive disorder if left unchecked.
To break this cycle, Dr. Wang's team is pioneering combined treatments that blend psychotherapy and medication with advanced neurostimulation techniques. These include:
- Transcranial electrical stimulation (TES)
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
- Deep brain stimulation (DBS), where implanted electrodes deliver targeted currents
As Dr. Wang reminds us, 'Stress is everywhere, so anxiety is ever-present. But anxiety can drive growth. We should dance with stress with an open mind to choreograph the most splendid moves of our lives.'
By embracing anxiety and leveraging cutting-edge therapies, we can turn a common human emotion into a catalyst for personal growth and resilience.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
