Introduction
Anxiety is a broad term which is used for numerous disorders that cause depression, fear, nervousness, and worrying. These conditions have an huge impact on how we behave, act and can even be a source of physical symptoms. Anxiety is unsettling and vague, and it can seriously affect our everyday routine (MNT, 2017). Anxiety is one of the most common mental illnesses in United States and can nearly affect 40 million people. Out of those people with the anxiety condition, only 36.9 percent received proper treatment (MNT, 2017).
Anxiety is as serious as Depression, But most people don’t know it. Anxiety disorders aren’t taken very seriously. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) found that 90% of Americans know the link between suicide and depression. When the pollsters asked about anxiety disorders, only 50% of respondents knew there was a link between anxiety disorders and death from suicide. The poll found that depression and bipolar disorder are seen as serious illnesses by the majority of Americans. The same cannot be said for anxiety disorders. That’s troubling for a couple of reasons. (Bob, Funk. 2016)
Discussion
The American Psychological Association describes anxiety as “an emotion categorized by tension, feelings of worried thoughts, and physical changes like increased blood pressure.” (MNT, 2017). When confronted with possibly damaging or disturbing triggers, feelings of anxiety are not only considered as normal but also essential for survival. A study conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that 70% of people reporting a history of suicide had a diagnosable anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders and depression can be an especially dangerous combination when co-occurring (Bob, Funk. 2016). Ignoring this link between anxiety and suicide is literally dangerous.
References
Barlow, S. E. and Dietz, W. H. (1998) Obesity evaluation and treatment: Expert committee recommendations. Pediatrics vol. 102 pp. 222–228.
Bob, Funk. (2016) Yes. Anxiety Is Very Serious And Here’s The Proof. (2016). HuffPost. N.p.
