Anxiety is the most common reported mental health concern in the United States, and are diagnosed by type as specific anxiety disorders. Some examples include generalized anxiety, social anxiety, fear of phobia specific anxieties, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
What differentiates typical fear or nervousness from anxiety that can benefit from clinical intervention is revealed in length of time and severity. Everyone gets afraid sometimes, and usually work through it in a manageable amount of time. However, people who struggle with anxiety may feel triggered and unable to cope for hours or days, or may struggle with low level persistent nervousness that interferes with basic life activities such as appetite, sleep, work, and maintaining relationships.
Who struggles with Anxiety?
- National prevalence data indicate that nearly 40 million people in the United States (18%) experience an anxiety disorder in any given year.
- Approximately 8% of children and teenagers experience an anxiety disorder with most people developing symptoms before age 21.
- Only about one-third of those suffering from an anxiety disorder receive treatment, even though the disorders are highly treatable.
- In addition, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1 in 13 globally suffers from anxiety. The WHO reports that anxiety disorders are the most common mental disorders worldwide with specific phobia, major depressive disorder and social phobia being the most common anxiety disorders.
Source: https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety
How Therapy Helps
Individuals struggling with anxiety can find benefit working with a therapist to address core issues that limit their ability to cope well with their fear. Identifying the originating events and negative thoughts that reinforce that fear can provide a stepping stone to developing goals that individuals can move toward, which will enhance their ability to cope, and lessen how frequently they feel anxious.
Sean Sparks Counseling 