10 Surprising Facts About Anxiety
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), anxiety disorders are the most common mental health conditions affecting 40 million Americans or about 18% of the population. However, with the majority of Americans in a “shelter in place,” the unemployment rate climbing, and an estimated 78% of Americans living paycheck to paycheck, it’s safe to say that 18% is low right now.
More people than not are struggling with feeling overwhelmed, anxious, racing thoughts, difficulty concentrating, panic and fear, and more. And if you’re not used to these types of feelings, and aren’t sure how to handle them, it can be unsettling when they come out of nowhere — and stick around.
Here are some surprising facts about anxiety worth knowing.
Anxiety Can Be Genetic
Much research has been done on the topic of why some develop anxiety and others don’t. Why do some survive traumatic events and come through seemingly unscathed? And yet others develop anxiety disorders like PTSD, Panic Disorder, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. One thing is certain: anxiety disorders and anxious temperaments seem to run in families. Simply put, individuals who have a family history of anxiety or other mental health challenges are at increased risk of developing anxiety. Studies also show that individuals who are genetically predisposed to anxiety are at a higher risk of developing anxiety after exposure to traumatic or stressful events.
Anxiety And Depression Are Linked
Often times, anxiety is a cause or a trigger of depression. Research indicates women who have generalized anxiety disorder are at an increased risk for developing depression. Individuals who suffer from chronic depression often develop symptoms of anxiety as a result of the mental exhaustion of the symptoms of depression. The same is true for sufferers of chronic anxiety. For example, people who struggle with Social Anxiety Disorder often develop depressive symptoms as a result of lifestyle choices made in order to accommodate the symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder, such as avoiding others and public places.
Anxiety Often Begins In Childhood
According to the CDC, approximately 7% of children between the ages of 3 and 17 years old have diagnosed anxiety. Since children are still developing their verbal skills, they likely won’t say things like, “I have anxiety” or “I’m really worried.”
Instead these symptoms show up in complaints such as stomach aches, headaches, or behavioral issues like temper tantrums. Other common anxiety symptoms in children include restlessness, inattention, avoidance, and frequent meltdowns. Sadly, these symptoms often get misdiagnosed as ADHD — and then medicated.
Anxiety Can Cause Physical Symptoms
Most people know that anxiety causes difficulty with focus and concentration, restlessness as well as feelings of irritability and frustration. However, few people realize that anxiety causes serious physical problems like weakness, shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, nausea, hot flashes, and dizziness. People experiencing a panic attack often end up in the ER believing they are having a heart attack.
Anxiety Disorders Increase Risk Of Health Complications
According to research at Harvard Medical School, anxiety has been indicated in several chronic physical illnesses, including heart disease, chronic respiratory disorders like COPD, gastrointestinal conditions such as IBS, and substance abuse. There is still a lot to learn about the way our body experiences anxiety and how it effects our physical health. However, what is certain is that long-term exposure to increased cortisol levels leads to decreased immunity and altered function of the heart and lungs.
Anxiety Can Cause Cold Hands And Feet
Have you ever wondered why your hands and feel sometimes feel cold to the touch? Did you know that it could be the result of anxiety? When we feel anxious, the flight or fight response kicks in. When this occurs, blood flow is redirected from your extremities, such as your hands and feet, and towards the torso and vital organs. This creates the feeling of cold in your hands and feet.
Anxiety Can Cause Anger
A common, but lesser-known side effect of anxiety is anger. When we feel powerless over a situation, or that our life is out of our control, expressing anger is a natural way to feel as though we have control. A closer examination into some recent stories in the news clearly points to this.
It’s much easier to externalize the conflict rather than acknowledge the real issue and deal with it. Additionally, with chronic sufferers of anxiety, depression sometimes develops — and it has often been said that “depression is anger turned inward.”
Anxiety Can Cause Memory Problems
Because individuals who suffer from anxiety often struggle to stay in the present moment, it makes them often forgetful. People who suffer from generalized anxiety disorder struggle with worry and an inability to control the worry. When we worry, it’s often about something that hasn’t happened yet, meaning we are in thinking in the future — where problems may occur. This is why people who suffer from anxiety often appear like they’re distracted, not listening, or they just don’t care.
Women Are Twice As Likely As Men To Develop An Anxiety Disorder
According to the ADAA, from the time a girl reaches puberty to the age of 50, she is twice as more likely to develop an anxiety disorder as a man. A woman’s fight or flight response is more easily activated and stays activated longer than a men’s — partly due to progesterone and estrogen. There’s also evidence to suggest that the female brain does not process serotonin as quickly as the male brain and they are more sensitive to low levels of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), a hormone that organizes stress responses in mammals.
Exercise Can Help Reduce Anxiety
Multiple studies have demonstrated that exercise can help decrease symptoms of anxiety. Did you know that a single workout has been proven to be a quick mood booster? And it doesn’t matter if the exercise is intense. It can be a quick walk around the block or a 30 minute run. However, according to the ADAA, exercise may not have a positive effect on anxiety for everyone.
Anxiety can also be a good thing. It can keep you safe. Walking to your car alone late at night? Anxiety can help alert you of your surroundings to get you to your car safely. Anxiety can help you perform better. Have a big presentation at work? Anxiety can help ensure you prepare so you perform your best.
Anxiety is also a normal and appropriate response to tragic and stressful events — like what is happening in the world right now. Just don’t let it take over, or ruin your quality of life.
James Killian, LPC is the Principal Therapist & Owner of Arcadian Counseling in New Haven, CT where they specialize in helping over-thinkers, high achievers, and perfectionists take control and move From Surviving to Thriving.
