The melting of Arctic ice, rising sea levels, smog-filled cities - the bombardment of negative news surrounding the environment has led to a new breed of individuals: the eco-anxious. The terms refers to those who may be battling the effects of depression and alcoholism thanks to a paralyzing fear of the state of the environment.

Eco-anxiety may manifest itself in the feeling of physically illness at the thought of entering a supermarket because of all of the pesticides found in produce or the treatment of animals killed for meat. One traveling salesman was even rendered useless at the thought of adding to the environmental problem of rising sea levels.

Naturally with this relatively new problem comes a solution: ecotherapy by - who else - an ecopsychologist. Some of these professionals recommend reconnecting with nature as a possible means of dealing with eco-anxiety, while others say stress and anxiety have been issues in patients for a long time, longer at least then the environmental situation has been so prominent. Mary-Jayne Rust, one such ecotherapist, encourages patients to dig deep to find the cause of the stress, so that it can be treated properly and effectively.

"I'm interested, as a therapist, in helping my clients understand the roots of their anxieties," Rust says, "and if part of their anxiety is coming from the bigger picture – from the impact that the wider ecological environment has on our internal world – then I want to explore that. But, initially, at least, I probably wouldn't appear to be working much differently from any other therapist. I would listen to the patient's current anxieties, inquire about their life, and ask what they feel about the world."

"A walk in the woods won't in itself cure, say, an eating disorder, but it's certainly an aid to therapy. It's rather like the defragging of a computer. People who have suffered great trauma can find solace in making a safe connection with the natural world."

The main problem, apparently, is that our "Gross National Happiness" is in decline. "Living more simply, in a world based on inner wealth rather than material wealth, is not only possible, it would also make us healthier and happier," Rust continues. "The challenge is to inspire people's imaginations to this end. For this we need government legislation, grass-roots movements, and also a re-thinking on every level of society. Above all, there should be a move into sustainability. It's a creative adventure that challenges us to leave behind consumerism in search of inner satisfaction and an inquiry into the purpose and meaning of existence. Since I have faith in humans as a species, I also have faith that we may just find our way through this global challenge."

Learn more about eco-anxiety and take a quiz to determine your level of environmental stress by hitting the jump.

» The Independent