Bundle of nerves

In Pakistan, 92 per cent of people are anxious, according to the recently-released JWT Anxiety Index Global Report 2013. Indeed, we are jazbati log and, according to the Report, we are also unhappy. Perhaps, these indices explain many of our sudden behavioural outbursts in public, such as the loud interruptions we hear politicians make on talk shows, disrespectfully talking over one another, or the honking and yelling between two motorists when they get into a minor accident — much greater than the ‘normal’ degree of being upset in that situation.

Those who have studied cultural anthropology of Pakistan, know impulsivity is a common trait in society. Some might identify our governments of past and present as being jazbati as well. Examples include governments exploring only short-term solutions in times of adversity; rather than aggressively chasing culprits of a security breach and making examples out of them, our tendencies are to set up a few extra security check posts and to make a few statements about ‘immediately’ correcting the matter at hand. These inefficiencies of our authorities contribute to the nervousness of the 92 per cent of citizens. Other reasons for the prevalent anxiety include the economy’s poor state, rising fuel prices, terrorism, depravity in government and amongst the keepers of law and order, insecurity due to lack of a proper justice system, crime and poverty.

All of these aspects result in tremendous uncertainty for the people and can further give way to multiple types of anxiety disorders. The greater sales of anxiolytics, particularly in the Peshawar region — according to an April 7 article in this newspaper on anxiety and depression in Pakistan’s tribal belt — indicate a rise in cases of anxiety. However, readers must bear in mind that this report was a survey only and not a comprehensive clinical study. The least the government can do in this regard is to try and purge itself of corruption so people can, at least, have peace of mind when it comes to their interactions with it.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 27^th, 2013.

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