From my personal experience in the United States, anxiety is becoming more and more accepted. There are many ways to relieve anxiety and stressors back home, especially at universities in the United States with counseling services, “stress-buster” activities like pet therapy and activities in dorms, and mental-health clubs. Coping with anxiety and seeking help at whatever level one may experience anxiety may be a daunting task wherever you are, but the negative stigma that revolves around anxiety has dramatically decreased in the United States with the increased awareness in the topic.
However, coping with my anxiety in Spain has been a completely different experience. I have found it to be a little less accepted to show signs of anxiety or express these feelings here in Spain. From experiences in the airport, to taxis around the city and ordering in restaurants, if I showed any signs that I was under stress they would look at me confused or unwelcoming. It appeared they were unsure what to do with me.
Being in Spain, I have had an increased amount of anxiety, mostly because I was in a new place and was out of my comfort zone, but also because I did not have a way to cope. My host mother appeared to be very judgmental about my stressors, and it was unacceptable for me to be in the house when I was experiencing anxiety and needed some space. My professor in the conversation class did not understand why I became so nervous talking and participating in class over little errors or possible things that may happen. Friends did not understand the phrase of “panic attacks” and why they affect my plans of going out later that day. I felt very misunderstood in this new culture.
I did some research to see how anxiety is treated in Spain and its prevalence, and I actually discovered that according to a 2014 study, Spain’s prevalence of anxiety is 7% over the European average. That means Spain is one of the European countries that has an above average diagnosis of anxiety. However, it could be higher. Also according to this study, people in Spain are very avoidant of their symptoms of anxiety and most do not seek treatment or are actually misdiagnosed. This could be because the negative stigma associated with anxiety and various other mental disorders. It is probably similar to the stigma in the United States, but with the growing awareness of counseling and its benefits, and how common anxiety actually is, this negative stigma appears to be decreasing in the states. As to why people in Spain suppress their feelings of anxiety and other negative feelings, I can not be completely sure as it is a different culture than what I know. What I do know is that western-cultures, and the world as a whole, should recognize that various mental disorders do not make a person weak or incapable.
Treatment and counseling plans change the lives of many of those who feel as if they are suffering, but the first step of getting that help is always the hardest because of the stigma. I hope that others studying abroad who are out of their comfort zone of a regular support system, and Spanish people who suppress their feelings, find effective coping strategies to better their lives and experiences here.
For reference: http://www.surinenglish.com/
However, coping with my anxiety in Spain has been a completely different experience. I have found it to be a little less accepted to show signs of anxiety or express these feelings here in Spain. From experiences in the airport, to taxis around the city and ordering in restaurants, if I showed any signs that I was under stress they would look at me confused or unwelcoming. It appeared they were unsure what to do with me.
Being in Spain, I have had an increased amount of anxiety, mostly because I was in a new place and was out of my comfort zone, but also because I did not have a way to cope. My host mother appeared to be very judgmental about my stressors, and it was unacceptable for me to be in the house when I was experiencing anxiety and needed some space. My professor in the conversation class did not understand why I became so nervous talking and participating in class over little errors or possible things that may happen. Friends did not understand the phrase of “panic attacks” and why they affect my plans of going out later that day. I felt very misunderstood in this new culture.
I did some research to see how anxiety is treated in Spain and its prevalence, and I actually discovered that according to a 2014 study, Spain’s prevalence of anxiety is 7% over the European average. That means Spain is one of the European countries that has an above average diagnosis of anxiety. However, it could be higher. Also according to this study, people in Spain are very avoidant of their symptoms of anxiety and most do not seek treatment or are actually misdiagnosed. This could be because the negative stigma associated with anxiety and various other mental disorders. It is probably similar to the stigma in the United States, but with the growing awareness of counseling and its benefits, and how common anxiety actually is, this negative stigma appears to be decreasing in the states. As to why people in Spain suppress their feelings of anxiety and other negative feelings, I can not be completely sure as it is a different culture than what I know. What I do know is that western-cultures, and the world as a whole, should recognize that various mental disorders do not make a person weak or incapable.
Treatment and counseling plans change the lives of many of those who feel as if they are suffering, but the first step of getting that help is always the hardest because of the stigma. I hope that others studying abroad who are out of their comfort zone of a regular support system, and Spanish people who suppress their feelings, find effective coping strategies to better their lives and experiences here.
For reference: http://www.surinenglish.com/
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