Statistics about Anxiety Disorder

40 MILLION

U.S. ADULTS ARE AFFECTED BY ANXIETY DISORDERS

6 TIMES

MORE LIKELY TO BE HOSPITALIZED FOR PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS IF YOU SUFFER FROM ANXIETY DISODER

36.9 PERCENT

OF PEOPLE WITH ANXIETY DISORDER ARE RECEIVING TREATMENT

5 Fast Facts about Anxiety Disorder

1

Women are twice as likely than men to be affected by Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).

2

Social anxiety disorder affects 15 million U.S. Adults.

3

Anxiety disorders develop from risk factors such as genetics, brain chemistry and life events.

4

Anxiety disorders can interfere with job performance, school work and reltationships.

5

Anxiety can cause both physical and emotional symptoms such as chronic fatigue, nausea and irritability.

Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder

Restlessness

Nervousness

Rapid Heart Rate

Heavy Sweating

Insomnia

Difficulty Focusing

Avoiding Feared Objects or Places

Side effects of an Anxiety Disorder

Impair your ability to perform task because you have trouble concentrating
Takes your time and focus from other activities
Sap your energy
Increase your risk of depression

Types of Anxiety Disorder

There are three main types of anxiety disorders that are common in the population.

1) GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER (GAD)

Excessive, unrealistic worry and tension with little or no reason. Anxiety and worries can be about a range of things from personal health, to work, to social interactions or everyday life.

2) PANIC DISORDER

People with panic disorders suffer recurring, unexpected panic attacks, a panic attack is sudden period of intense fear that comes on quickly. Symptoms of panic attack may entail sweating, shortness of breath, chest pain, trembling and heart palpitations.

3) SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER

This is when you feel overwhelming worry and self-consciousness about everyday social situations, due to a fear of being negatively evaluated, which may result in avoiding social situations.

Causes of anxiety disorder

There are many potential causes for anxiety disorders, but these are the three most common:

GENETICS

Studies show that anxiety can be hereditary or passed between family members.

BRAIN CHEMISTRY

Some research suggest anxiety disorders may be linked to malfunctioning circuits in the brain that control fear and emotions.

ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS

Living through stressful or traumatic events can increase risk for anxiety disorders.

Treatment for Anxiety Disorder

There are a few different treatment options for anxiety and the right one depends on each individual. In some cases, a combination of treatments may be most effective.

Therapy

- Psychotherapy Anxiety disorders can be treated with psychotherapy. This type of therapy needs to be tailored to the individual’s specific anxieties in order to be effective.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy CBT is a type of therapy that helps people deal with anxiety-inducing situations in different ways. CBT has been researched more than any other type of therapy when it comes to treating anxiety.
- Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) Therapy
  ERP therapy is most beneficial for people with specific phobias or social anxiety. ERP therapy focuses on confronting the fear underlying an anxiety disorder to help people engage in activities they have been avoiding. The goal is that over time, the individual will experience less anxiety and develop better coping skills for dealing with the situation.

Medications

Some people find that medications are an effective way to treat anxiety disorders. Medications can be used to provide short-term relief from symptoms, or to manage an anxiety disorder over the long term.

Anti-Anxiety Medications – Certain medications can help reduce the symptoms of anxiety, panic attacks, or extreme fear and worry. However, these medications should only be used for a short period of time, as they can pose a risk for dependency. If you are experiencing these symptoms, it is important to talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of these medications.

Antidepressants – Some medications, such as SSRIs, can also be used to treat anxiety disorders. This is especially helpful for people who also experience depression.

Complementary Treatments

Alternative methods, such as stress and relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, yoga, and physical exercise can help improve mental health. These methods can be used in addition to therapy and medication.