How Nigerians Cope With Anxiety

Anxiety has become a popular word since the spotlight rested on mental health. It can be defined as the intense, excessive and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations.

I need not define Nigeria. Now, the combination of these two gives you a word the English language is yet to conceive. Even one who is not prone to anxiety becomes an eligible candidate just by residing in Nigeria; then imagine what a naturally anxious person deals with daily.

For every challenge, there are possible solutions or coping mechanisms. A lot of solutions to Nigeria’s challenges lies within the purview of the elected government, which leaves the responsibility of coping on the laps of citizens. To tackle the daily challenges that come with living in the country, every single person has developed a coping mechanism whether the person is aware of it or not. This statement is a fact, because the human body, as a system, finds ways to adapt, as much as possible, in all conditions. Below are a few coping mechanisms, it is possible for an individual to have more than one, but there is usually a default coping mechanism.

Substance Abuse
Due to the uncertainty of the future in this part of the world, some individuals resort to substance abuse just to escape the harsh reality of a life that might never reach its full potential. They are hooked on discovering new substances that will catapult them to Cloud 9, where there’s no disappointment or bills. Sadly, this escape is short-lived and it leads down the path to addiction and ill health.

Fanaticism
According to the dictionary, fanaticism is defined as the extreme and often unquestioning enthusiasm, devotion or zeal for something. In this coping mechanism, one chooses to make his being about something or someone he/she loves and admires. We see fans of celebrities who make it their life’s purpose to inherit enemies and fight rivals like their lives depend on it. They live vicariously through their favourites and this keeps them going. There are also religious fanatics who solely rely on their religion for the needed hope to keep enduring. Not to forget football fanatics who will only cope with the failing economy on the condition that Man U defeats Chelsea. Some football fanatics will go the length of placing a bet on their favourite club even if it is their last kobo.
The people in this category just want to hold on to joy and hope; they are optimists. The downside of this is, con artists, owing to their unquestionable enthusiasm, can exploit them.

Trolling
Trolling is the act of making comments to deliberately upset other people online. The word ‘troll’ became a thing with social media. Trolls have always existed, but they were called gossips and could mostly be found in salons and beer parlours. The only difference between the two is that gossips operate physically but amongst each other as they rarely have the guts to make upsetting comments to the face of their victim. On the other hand, trolls operate online; they can make their comments directly, but not physically. It is very possible for one individual to be both.
Trolls/gossips are the exact opposites of fanatics in the aspect of looking for joy. They are very much aware of their sad reality and would like everyone to have a taste of it, especially those who look like they’re having a good time. This makes celebrities an easy target. His or her coping mechanism is to ensure that everyone else is reminded that there is something to be sad about.

Risk Aversion
This term describes a coping mechanism in which an individual is afraid of taking risks owing to fear and uncertainty. A lot of Nigerians are settling for less because there’s no incentive for daring to dream big. While it is understandable to be careful, it should not be at the expense of taking a leap when necessary. Holding on so tightly to something less than what you deserve is no way to live. Some risks are worth taking.
The list goes on. Hence, this article hopes to bring to fore the coping mechanisms and to encourage you to carry out a self-evaluation in order to identify your coping mechanism, its pros and cons and then make the necessary changes to improve your life.