Anxious About Everything? It Could Be THIS Syndrome, Not Just Stress

Do you constantly worry and feel anxious? You might be experiencing “Lamp Syndrome.” People suffering from Lamp Syndrome generally overestimate and underestimate negative factors. This anxiety disorder is one of the problems caused by a perfectionist mindset and can’t leave any room for error.

Worrywarts

Do you know someone who can’t stop worrying about everything? American psychologist Ernie J. Zelinski said that 40% of our worries will never happen, 30% have already occurred, 22% are trivial, and only 4% are things we can change. In other words, there is no need to worry about 96% of things. However, if you still have worries, it’s worth considering whether you may be experiencing lamp syndrome.

High Possibility of Lamp Syndrome

“Lamp Syndrome” refers to constantly bringing up worries that are unlikely to occur, just like Aladdin calling out the Genie from the magic lamp. In psychological terms, it is also called “excessive worry syndrome,” and the closest medical term is “generalized anxiety disorder.”

Anxiety Disorder is a Mental Disorder

Anxiety disorder refers to mental disorders that disrupt daily life due to abnormal and pathological anxiety and fear in various forms, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorder, agoraphobia, and social phobia. If symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder worsen, symptoms such as palpitations, high blood pressure, restlessness or trembling, hyperventilation, and diarrhea will often appear due to anxiety and fear. If you experience stress or depression, or if other anxiety disorders overlap, the symptoms can worsen.

Normal Anxiety VS Anxiety in Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Among the mental disorders listed in the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.” the one closest to Lamp Syndrome is generalized anxiety disorder. Generalized anxiety disorder is accompanied by excessive worry and physical symptoms such as headaches, chest pain, tinnitus, and fatigue. So, how is it different from normal anxiety? Normal anxiety is limited to specific events, and the intensity, duration, and frequency of anxiety are proportional to the likelihood and outcome of the event. On the other hand, the anxiety of generalized anxiety disorder is exaggerated without any apparent reason, regardless of the possibility of actual events occurring in many daily situations. Symptoms such as anxiety and difficulty concentrating also appear for most of the time.

Could I Have Lamp Syndrome?

It might be a good idea to check whether you are experiencing Lamp Syndrome through the following questions. If you feel excessive anxiety in your daily life for more than six months, or if you tend to feel anxious or avoid social situations, check if you are repeating specific behaviors or thoughts to alleviate anxiety. Also, if you are having trouble with daily life or social activities due to stress, or if physical symptoms are manifesting, you may already be experiencing Lamp Syndrome.

Common Symptoms Among People in Modern Society

Lamp Syndrome, commonly seen in people in modern society, is being pointed out as a social structural problem. As society changes to a nuclear family structure and is rapidly aging, individuals are directly exposed to anxiety and fear outside the protection of the community. Also, it is a fact that we have become more sensitive to unpredictable risks as we have easy access to a constant bombardment of media and news through various social media platforms.

Living Trapped with Worries

The pressure from the compulsion to be a perfectionist without making a mistake becomes a problem of excessive worry and creates anxiety in the present. Rather than tormenting yourself with unnecessary worries and fears, managing the stress that occurs in daily life appropriately and feeling a sense of achievement even in small things is essential.

Strive to Adapt to Your Present Reality

Generalized anxiety disorder can also be a congenital temperament, so instead of feeling anxious and obsessing over worries, it is necessary to strive to adapt well to your present reality. Meditation, stretching, and muscle relaxation techniques can help relax the body, and it is helpful to engage in activities like walking rather than being alone caught up in worries.

Writing a Mood Diary Helps

If you worry excessively every day, it may be helpful to write a mood diary. As you write your mood diary, you can identify your thought patterns. Recognizing that your thoughts are irrational and reducing the error of choosing negative emotions naturally develops the ability to view situations objectively.

Set Expectations that Your Worries Have an Expiration Date

Set expectations that your worries expire, and think about throwing them away after a certain period. Strive to live a life where you can reasonably let go of worry without stress. Since worries and anxieties are something only you can control, you must try to close the lid of the worry-leaking lamp by not obsessing over minor problems and working on relaxing the tension of the mind.

By. Shin Young Jeon