Easing The Burden of Anxiety

Since we opened our doors in 2016, our goal at Seattle Anxiety Specialists has been to improve the mental health of those suffering from anxiety and anxiety-related disorders.

Anxiety is a significant problem affecting millions. Not only does it rob us of joy, it also increases our susceptibility to a raft of other issues and conditions, from weight gain and headaches, to substance abuse and depression, to heart attack and stroke.

Lost productivity from depression and anxiety is also an enormous problem, the global financial impact of which is forecast to reach $16 trillion by 2030.[1-3]

Prevalence of mental health disorders

In 2019, globally 1-in-8 people (i.e., 970 million people) had a mental health disorder, with the highest prevalence in anxiety and depression.[4] In 2020, with the rise of the Covid-19 pandemic, the rate of those living with anxiety and depressive disorders rose significantly, averaging a 27% increase, in just one year.[5]

In the United States, every year 19% of the population (40 million) age 18+ are affected by anxiety disorders. While these disorders are highly treatable, only 36.9% of those suffering receive treatment. It is important to note that anxiety disorders develop from a complex set of risk factors (e.g., genetics, brain chemistry, personality, and life events) - anxiety is not a “personal weakness” or in any way the fault of those afflicted.[6]

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) note the prevalence of specific anxiety disorders within the United States:[7,8]

Specific Phobias

• 19.3 million adults (9.1% of the population)

• Women are twice as likely as men to be affected.

• Symptoms typically begin in childhood, with average onset at 7 years old.

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)

• 15 million adults (7.1% of the population)

• All genders are equally common to be affected.

• Typically develops around the age of 13.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• 7.7 million adults (3.6% of the population)

• Women are 5x as likely as men to be affected.

• Rape is the most-likely trigger of PTSD for both women and men.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) 

• 6.8 million adults (3.1% of the population)

• Women are twice as likely as men to be affected.

• GAD is often comorbid with major depression.

Panic Disorder (PD)

• 6 million adults (2.7% of the population)

• Women are twice as likely as men to be affected.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

• 2.5 million adults (1.2% of the population)

• Women are 3x as likely as men to be affected.

• The average onset occurs at age 19, with 25% of cases occurring by age 14.

Negative Effects of stress & Anxiety

While stress is a natural response to a threatening situation, anxiety can develop as a reaction to that stress. Columbia University and the Mayo Clinic note that chronic stress can lead to a state of imbalance in the body with elevated levels of cortisol and other stress hormones. Unable to naturally correct the imbalance, nearly all of person’s body processes can be disrupted. This chronic over-activation of the stress response puts a person at higher risk of many health problems, including:[9,10]

• Cancer

• Depression

• Digestive problems

• Headaches

• High blood pressure and stroke

• Sleep problems

• Weight gain

• Problems with memory and focus

• Muscle tension and pain – Specifically, anxiety is known to decrease a person’s threshold of pain and reduce their pain tolerance.[11]

• Heart disease and heart attack – Johns Hopkins Medicine notes that the physical symptoms of anxiety can be especially damaging to individuals with existing cardiac disease.[12]

If you or someone you know are experiencing anxiety or an anxiety-related disorder that is impacting daily life and overall well-being, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional (e.g., a psychotherapist, psychologist or psychiatrist) for additional guidance and support.

References

1 The Lancet Global H Mental health matters. Lancet Glob Health. 2020;8(11):e1352. doi: 10.1016/s2214-109x(20)30432-0.

2 Chronic Stress Can Hurt Your Overall Health. Columbia University (2023, May 19). https://www.columbiadoctors.org/news/chronic-stress-can-hurt-your-overall-health#:~:text=Over%20longer%20periods%20of%20time,high%20blood%20pressure%2C%20and%20stroke.

3 Stress Management. Mayo Clinic (n/d). https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20046037

4 Mental Disorders. World Health Organization (2022, June 8). https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-disorders/?gclid=CjwKCAjwkY2qBhBDEiwAoQXK5dDADEODcFpL4f4Mugk7ySEtHntEXhytEAwQ5azNR7OFsakdy850rhoCBYYQAvD_BwE

5 Ibid.

6 Anxiety Disorders – Facts & Statistics. Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA) (2023). https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/facts-statistics?gclid=CjwKCAjwkY2qBhBDEiwAoQXK5e2unXhDHX1uaURJlOu1nYRgwi45SjhpNPRqwjXG379sDsHKqnXG4RoCscQQAvD_BwE

7 Ibid.

8 Mental Health Information: Statistics. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) (n/d). https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics

9 Columbia University

10 Mayo Clinic

11 Dersh, J., Polatin, P. B., & Gatchel, R. J. (2002). Chronic pain and psychopathology: research findings and theoretical considerations. Psychosomatic medicine, 64(5), 773-786.

12 Anxiety and Heart Disease. Johns Hopkins Medicine (n/d). https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/anxiety-and-heart-disease