Anxiety and Depression have been a hot topic lately.
Actress Kristen Bell recently came out in an interview discussing her struggle with Anxiety and Depression.
To follow up with last week's article on anxiety, here are some basic facts you should know about the mental health disorder.
1. What is Anxiety?
Someone with Anxiety Disorder has feelings of worry or fear that don't go away and can get worse over time.
2. There are three main types of Anxiety Disorders: Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder and Social Anxiety Disorder.
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder is when excessive anxiety or worry is displayed for months along side several anxiety-related symptoms.
Possible symptoms: restlessness, easily fatigued, irritability, difficulty controlling worry and sleeping problems.
- Panic Disorder is when people have reoccurring unexpected panic attacks.
Possible symptoms: feelings of intense fear, palpitations, pounding heart, shaking, sweating, accelerated heart rate and shortness of breath.
- Social Anxiety Disorder is having a fear of social or performance situations where one feels embarrassed, judged or fear.
Possible symptoms: feeling highly anxious about being around other people and talking to them, being afraid of being judged by others, staying away from places where others will be at, sweating, trembling and feelings of being sick to the stomach while around others.
3. Statistics
- Anxiety Disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults, age 18 and older, which is 18 percent of the population.
- Anxiety Disorders are highly treatable, but only one-third of those suffering from it receive treatment.
- College students:
• 80 percent of college students frequently feel feelings of stress or on a daily basis.
• 34 percent have felt depressed at some point in the past three months.
• 9 percent have seriously considered suicide in the past year.
• Anxiety Disorders are one the most common type of mental health problems on college campuses.
(a 2008 Associated Press and mtvU survey of college students)
Although millions of people across the nation suffer with Anxiety Disorders, there are still many who don't. Those who don't suffer from a mental illness don't always seem to understand them or take them seriously.
Mental health issues are serious. If someone you know has feelings of depression or anxiety, try talking to them about it and maybe look into getting them help. It is not easy for those with mental health issues to come out and talk openly about it to others, especially when it involves getting help.
*Disclaimer: I am not a Doctor in any way, shape, or form. All this information was researched and obtained from The National Institute of Mental Health http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-diso... and The Anxiety and Depression Association of America http://www.adaa.org/about-adaa/press-room/facts-st.... For more information on anxiety and mental health, click the links attached above.
Watch Kristen Bell's interview where she discusses how anxiety affected her life:
Read my personal experience with anxiety here: https://theodysseyonline.com/cal-state-northridge/...
