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Anxiety Disorders: The Statistics

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Introduction to Anxiety Ed

My Intention...

I have a personal goal--it's to help people who have an anxiety disorder to understand it better, and help them learn how to help themselves. That's why I've started Anxiety Ed, an effort that attempts to educate about anxiety, its symptoms, and manifestations. The philosophy of Anxiety Ed is, "Empower through Education." The primary areas of focus are generalized anxiety disorder, panic, and agoraphobia.

This is the first in a series of segments (lenses) in the Anxiety Ed Program. Anxiety can be scary thing when you try to cope on your own, so why don't you join me...you'll gain of sense of calm and even have a few laughs!

I'd also like to interact with people who share this commitment and are interested in creating a place--a space--to provide education, interaction, understanding, and most importantly, empowerment for people with anxiety. Please feel free to drop me a note, you'll find a place to do that at the bottom of this page.

This segment, or any other Anxiety Ed segment featured on Squidoo, is not intended to substitute for professional counseling, clinical therapies, or medication.

Think you're alone? Not a chance.

It is often written that men and women with anxiety symptoms and disorders "suffer in silence." It's true for many. Anxiety is a fear-based condition, so not only do people fear their often unexplainable symptoms, like weak legs or feeling like a tight band is around their head, they also fear what people will think about them if they knew. "I can't tell my boss that I'm afraid to drive to that appointment!" "My friends will think I'm nuts if I tell them I have panic attacks at the movies." Think you're alone in your challenges with anxious symptoms? Then, take a look at the statistics below.

In 2002, statistics provided by the Anxiety Disorders Association of America reported that 19.1 million, or 13.3%, of adults ages 18-54 were affected with a form of anxiety disorder. In 2006, updated statistics provided by the National Institute of Mental Health revealed a startling rise. The prevalence of adults ages 18 and over with anxiety disorder was reported at 40 million, or 18.1% of the population! Here's a recap of the statistics measuring the most prevalent anxiety disorders:

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) - 6.8 million (3.1%)
Panic disorder - 6 million (2.7%)
Agoraphobia - 1.8 million (0.8%)
Social anxiety disorder (SAD) - 15 million (6.8%)
Specific phobia - 19.2 million (8.7%)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder OCD) - 2.2 million (1%);
Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) - 7.7 million (3.5%)

(Source: National Institute of Mental Health. (2009). The numbers count: Mental disorders in America.)

Those are the statistics for the U.S., now let's go worldwide!

The World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations public health arm that monitors disease outbreaks and assesses the performance of health systems around the globe, conducted a survey including 14 countries and published results in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2004. Anxiety disorders were reported as the most common disorders in 13 countries out of the 14. (For those of you who like detail, the countries included the U.S., Mexico, Columbia, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Ukraine, Lebanon, Nigeria, Japan, and People's Republic of China. Ukraine was the only country where anxiety disorders didn't rank as #1.)

Given these statistics and the increasing trends they suggest, chances are some of your friends, relatives, neighbors, and colleagues are touched by anxiety issues just like you. It's funny, when you start to admit your experiences with anxiety, you'll be surprised how many start to feel comfortable to open up to you about their own.

For some, anxiety is a one-time issue; they go through a bout of it and with time it leaves them. For others, it's a perpetuating condition. No matter where you are in that continuum, when you're experiencing it, IT'S SCARY! This information can be helpful for you. Please check back to this lens as I will be updating with relevant info. I'll also be developing more lenses as part of the Anxiety Ed continuing series. Thank you for spending some time here. I hope it helps.

I wish you calm.

Breathe.

Laugh.

Feeling anxious? Two proven quick fixes!

Exercise and humor work wonders!

Research has shown that both exercise and humor have biological effects on our bodies that reduce anxious symptoms and thoughts. Many studies report the effectiveness of exercise. An aerobic workout of at least 20 minutes is recommended...this includes walking. If that's not your thing, any type of physical activity will do. Work with small weights, bike ride, try yoga or Pilates, you can even dance free-style to some of your favorite songs and reap the benefits! Whatever the activity, just be sure to do it for the recommended 20 minutes and you'll feel your anxiety lessen. Also found to be effective is humor! Watching funny movies and television shows, or listening to audio performances of comedians can be helpful activities. If you really want to go for it, watch a funny TV show while you're on the treadmill!