Wellness Wisdom: Anxiety
General Anxiety Disorder (GAD) affects 3.1% of the U.S. population and social anxiety affects 7.1% of the U.S. population. Women are twice as likely to be impacted by GAD, GAD is often accompanied by major depression.
Less than half the population battling GAD are receiving treatment and 36% of people experiencing social anxiety disorder report experiencing the symptoms for 10 or more years prior to seeking help.
Anxiety can create a multitude of unwanted affects like,
- Nervousness
- Panic
- Sweating
- Feeling weak or tired
- Trouble sleeping
- Trouble concentrating
- Having the urge to avoid things
If you feel like the symptoms above, or any symptoms relating, are impacting your ability to function on a day-to-day basis, you should reach out to a doctor.
There is not a single solution to help someone experiencing anxiety, but some ways you can help include,
- Validate their feelings
- Refrain from telling them to calm down
- Encourage them to focus on things in their control
- Encourage them to help themselves by redirecting their focus
If you or anyone you know is showing signs of anxiety contact, https://www.fgcu.edu/counseling-and-psychological-services/ and/or the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264). The National Alliance on Mental Illness Helpline is a free resource to aid in generating appropriate helpful resources.
Citations:
https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/facts-statistics
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/symptoms-causes/syc-20350961
https://www.everydayhealth.com/anxiety-disorders/ways-you-can-help-someone-with-an-anxiety-disorder/