A perfect definition of peace

Dr Fahim Chand | Monday August 15, 2022 06:00

And as I sat in solitude, my frenzied physiology betrayed the tranquil environment.

As the atmospheric tsunami of calming waves attempted to conquer, the raging torrent of adrenaline remained steadfast and repelled all attacks. My hands fidgeted continuously as my pupils dilated.

Every sleepless night, every perfect test score in this hallowed journey through the halls of pursued enlightenment had led me to this moment. One might have thought that this would be a celebratory event.

As a myriad of thoughts raced through my mind, none pleasant I might add, a sound punctured the wall of silence. As my uncontrolled physiology played sadistic games with my unsullied mind, a moment of sheer terror saturated the surroundings.

The door to a room adjacent to the chair I was sitting in flung open. As the light shone from behind, I heard an unexpected sound impregnate the air. My classmate Trudy appeared in the defined space and as I gazed at her shiny face, my breath stopped. That reflected light caressing her skin was not the latest offerings from dermatology experts Neostrata, but rather the former contents of her lacrimal glands.

And as the shiny highway continued to be replenished steadily, I realised the sound was none other than my friend and classmate crying. I had always prided myself in being able to govern my emotions and physiology in all situations, but here I fought my own battle to control all of the body orifices. My salivary glands went on strike and ensured xerostomia ruled the occasion.

The sight of Trudy in such a state had shocked my vocal cords into a steadfast silence that there were no consoling words forthcoming. While I had no speed gun to confirm my hypothesis, I suspect that Trudy was challenging the land speed record as she motored into the distance. My own inertia filled legs finally mobilised to propel me into the waiting room.

The sterile white light swallowed me whole. My knees shook as I sat down in a solitary chair facing a desk, behind which sat three gentlemen. The air was saturated with intelligence and acquired knowledge. I silently wondered how much of that was my own? In the corner of the room sat a lady who possessed a recording device of some sort and a notepad in which she was writing feverishly.

Where was I? Today was judgement day. My entire life had boiled down to this moment. The three people in front of me were either my saviours or executioners. For today I sat in this room with three of the foremost dental experts in Canada, whose job via oral exam under the auspices of the National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB), was to determine if I was qualified to practise the noble profession of dentistry. It is moments like this, charged with stress that at times catalyse a panic or anxiety response.

Remarkably, data in the US indicate that a whopping 29% of respondents had reported symptoms of anxiety disorder in the LAST 7 DAYS. Symptoms of panic attacks include a rapid pounding heart rate, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, chills and tingly hands. Extraordinarily, additional symptoms include a sense of impending doom or danger and fear of loss of control, or death!!!!! Anxiety disorders are serious and debilitating. Public attitudes to mental disorders are changing. Just consider the number of celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Adele and Kim Kardashian who have opened up about their struggles. Despite the progress, myths still persist.

One such myth is that time heals. People who have anxiety or depression should show resilience by simply waiting for time to heal their woes. In response, researchers in Australia examined the data from 16 clinical trials in which a group of patients on a “waiting list” prior to treatment found that only one in eight people went into remission as they waited for therapy.

Another idea that has attracted recent widespread attention following the publication of a paper, questions the efficacy of a common class of anti-depressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). These drugs, which include Prozac, were thought to address a “chemical imbalance” in the brain by correcting the level of serotonin in the brain, which is thought to regulate mood, amongst other functions. The paper concluded there was no clear link between serotonin levels and depression. But there are other ways that SSRI’s may relieve symptoms –including reducing inflammation, which may contribute to depression. Importantly, a recent meta-analysis of multiple clinical trials confirmed that SSRI’s are EFFECTIVE at relieving depression. While they not work for everybody, they are 50% more likely to produce a positive response than placebo pills. There are a myriad of other drug options to treat mental disorders that also show positive responses.

While the stress of an NDEB judgement day oral exam might be enough to push a fragile brain over the edge into the anxiety abyss, I passed my exams comfortably and you will be glad to know that Trudy did too. The world today is fraught with unrelenting attacks to our mental well being, just know that there is effective help out there. The warm gentle yellow brightness of the sun and blue skies wait.