NERVOUSNESS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 764, 22 July 1916, Page 7

NERVOUSNESS.

Of nervousness, the pet feminine ailment, a Scottish doctor writes as follows: —I probably receive more questions from correspondents who complain of some form of nervousness than from all other correspondents put together. The symptoms vary in nearly oxcry case; hut underneath them all is one common fundamental condition—an undue consciousness of self. By. continually thinking of any one object or any one subject, that object or subject after a time acquires in the mind a dominance disproportionate to its real importance, and the kind of nervousness of which 1 am speaking is hardly ever found in people who have a real active interest in their work or in public affairs, or in some hobby or sport. Even the ordinary physiological processes of their body become to the morbidly self-con-scious subjects of greater interest than work or art or religion itself. To such persons the undue palpitation of their heart or the movements of Mind in their intestines are more vital matters than the immortality of the soul. They entirely lose all reasonable sense of proportion and, for all practical purposes, are suffering from a mild form of insanity. This form of nervousness, dependent on excessive thought of oneself and one's body, is really a mental disease. For by nervousness Ido not mean that due regard for real danger which any person with imagination and common sense is bound to experience, or a reasonable modesty based on the consideration of the merits of others and the limitations of oneself, but a constant state of anxiety and trepidation concerning phenomena which are usual, and, in many cases, are common to all mankind. Indeed, this form of morbid nervousness is usually the very opposite to real humility. For in truth it is based on the sense of the tremendous importance of oneself, and the inability to take oneself for granted, just like anyone else. Nervous people, therefore, should try to cultivate the habit of looking upon themselves and upon other people as being to a large extent what they are because God made them so. They should try to realise that so longas they do their best according to their own lights they are just as little open to criticism as anyone else, and they should rest content with that. This, of course, applies to their self-analysis in the region of mind and body. It applies no less, however, in the region of bodily symptoms. So far as opportunity and means allow, it is the duty of everyone to lead such a life as is best calculated to develop to the'utmost the vigour and well-being of the body, but having done this, to take without undue thought or worry that degree of health and "strength which Providence has thought fit to endow them. Thus it will be seen that nervousness persisted in is really what the theologians regard as a sin, and calls for a spiritual no less than a physical remedy. Apart from endeavouring to acquire a little sound philosophy, there are certain other practical measures which the morbidly nervous would do well to take. First and foremost, he should do his best to take an active interest in his work, whatever it may be, and desire to excel in it. Secondly, he will in most eases be wise to take up and cultivate some hobby or sport, such as gardening or some branch of collecting, preferably of a kind which will take him much out of doors.