FACTS & FIGURES.

WHAT IS ANXIETY?

Have you ever experienced that constant feeling of worry? It’s that gut-wrenching feeling we get when we’re constantly and consistently stressing over something. Often times we stress over things big or small, or spaces that we’re currently in, or future events approaching; like a big presentation. And even more often, we can be stressing over something that really is nothing at all. That feeling is called anxiety. According to the ADAA, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by persistent and excessive worry about a number of different things. Anxiety can come in many forms; such as: Generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and even Obsessive Compulsive disorder. But no matter how you label it, anxiety tends to affect our lives and how we live it. 

SYMPTOMS OF ANXIETY

HOW DOES ANXIETY START?

Generalized Anxiety Disorder can be caused by many different factors, including : genetics, trauma, environmental factors and brain chemistry. Though it is unclear on where or when anxiety can start for an individual, anxiety.org states “Individuals who have experienced long-term stress, chemical imbalances, or a family history of anxiety have an increased risk of having GAD.” 

WHO DOES ANXIETY AFFECT?

• Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older, or 18.1% of the population every year . 
• Out of the 40 million affected in the U.S, 6.8 million adults are affected by GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder), with only 43.2% of this group receiving treatment. 
• Given all of these numbers, studies have shown that GAD is twice as prevalent in females than in males because of their sensitivity to low-levels of a hormone called CRF (Corticotropin-releasing factor), which is what organizes the stress levels in mammals . 

HOW IS ANXIETY TREATED?

There are many ways to treat anxiety, depending on which route you would like to take. Medications like Benzodiazepines work with a specific receptor in your brain that helps with giving you calmness. Antidepressants are one of the more popular medications prescribed, as they help regulate the serotonin levels. Psychotherapy is another form of treatment for individuals with anxiety. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a common type of therapy given that conditions the individual to think and behave in different ways regarding situations that would normally stress them out. 

OUR MISSION.

Everybody has experienced anxiety to a certain extent. Anxiety comes in many different forms with no discrimination of whom it affects. With all of the hustle and bustle in today’s society, it may be hard to differentiate between what really is anxiety and what may feel like anxiety. With our health blog, we hope to bring a more in-depth understanding on what GAD is.