Here are the preliminary research results on Anxiety Disorder and Panic Disorder.
Anxiety Disorder or people with AD:
- Each anxiety disorder has different symptoms, but all the symptoms cluster around excessive, irrational fear and dread. Interfere with daily activities such as job performance, school work, and relationships. Have difficulty controlling it and it may negatively affect their day-to-day living. Commonly occur along with other mental or physical illnesses, including alcohol or substance abuse, which may mask anxiety symptoms or make them worse.
- Most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older, or 18% of the population.
- Highly treatable, yet only about one-third of those suffering receive treatment.
- Cost the U.S. more than $42 billion a year, almost one-third of the country's $148 billion total mental health bill.
- Genetics, brain chemistry, personality, and life events.
- Treated with medication, specific types of psychotherapy, or both.
- Not uncommon for someone with an anxiety disorder to also suffer from depression or vice versa. Nearly one-half of those diagnosed with depression are also diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.
- Women are twice as likely to be affected as men.
Panic Disorder or people with PD:
- An anxiety disorder characterized by unexpected and repeated episodes of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms that may include chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, or abdominal distress.
- Researchers have found that several parts of the brain are involved in fear and anxiety. Stress and environmental factors may play a role.
- Affects 6 million people, 2.7% of the population.
- Women are twice as likely to be affected as men.
- Very high comorbidity rate with major depression, drug abuse, alcoholism.
- Panic attacks often begin in late adolescence or early adulthood, but not everyone who experiences panic attacks will develop panic disorder.
- Panic attacks can occur at any time, even during sleep. An attack usually peaks within 10 minutes, but some symptoms may last much longer.
- Some people’s lives become so restricted that they avoid normal activities, such as grocery shopping or driving. About one-third become housebound or are able to confront a feared situation only when accompanied by a spouse or other trusted person.
- Treated with psychotherapy, medication, or both. A type of psychotherapy called cognitive behavior therapy is especially useful for treating panic disorder. It teaches a person different ways of thinking, behaving, and reacting to situations that help him or her feel less anxious and fearful.
- "One day, without any warning or reason, I felt terrified. I was so afraid, I thought I was going to die. My heart was pounding and my head was spinning. I would get these feelings every couple of weeks. I thought I was losing my mind.”
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