Do you suffer from eco-anxiety?

If like Greta Thunberg, you have depression or panic attacks thinking about global warming and the depletion of natural resources, you may have become eco-anxious. This new evil of 21^and century concerns more and more people around the world.

What do we mean by eco-anxiety?

Eco-anxiety is characterized by anxiety related to climate change, natural disasters, or the fear of seeing the planet’s resources run out. It can go as far as a depressive state, suicidal thoughts, or even post-traumatic stress if the person has experienced an event related to a natural disaster.

In those affected, including children, climate change generates fear, anger or a feeling of helplessness and exhaustion which fuels anxiety and often adds to the stress of daily life. The consequences are not negligible and can go as far as addictive behavior, OCDs or suicide.

So what if you suffer from eco-anxiety?

As with any anxiety disorder, eco-anxiety can be treated and requires treatment by one or more health professionals. To overcome his fear, psychotherapy is necessary, sometimes with the help of anxiolytic and antidepressant treatment.

If the symptoms do not go that far, getting involved in an ecological association, for example, and carrying out individual actions to protect and safeguard the environment can help overcome fear and feelings of helplessness.

Find out more: “Ecopsychology: Rediscovering our link with the Earth” by Michel Maxime Egger, Jouvence editions.