Anxiety Disorders: Fast Facts

Reviewed By:
Steven A. King, M.D.

• Anxiety disorders are conditions that cause a person to feel anxious or distressed for no logical reason.
  
  
• About 40 million Americans are affected by anxiety disorders.
  
  
• They are among the most common mental illnesses in America.
  
  
• Anxiety disorders account for one-third of the total mental-health bill in the United States.
  
  
• People with anxiety disorders are three to five times more likely to visit a physician than those without them.
  
  
• Anxiety disorders are often associated with depression, which is characterized by feelings of sadness, hopelessness and reduced energy.
  
  
• Only one-third of people who experience symptoms actually visit a doctor.
  
  
• Most cases of anxiety disorders that do not respond to one form of treatment will respond to another.
  
  
• There are five major categories: generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder.
  
  
• The exact cause of most anxiety disorders is unknown, but they most likely stem from a combination of psychological, biological, genetic and environmental factors.
  
  
• People who are diagnosed with one form of anxiety disorder are often diagnosed with a second type.
  
  
• Treatment for these conditions may include psychotherapy, medication or a combination of both.
  
  
• Most anxiety disorders begin in childhood, adolescence or early adulthood.
  
  
• Some types affect women more often than men. However, in some disorders ‑- such as generalized anxiety disorder ‑- the percentages are nearly equal.
  
  
• Anxiety is also a symptom of other mental health disorders. An anxiety disorder is diagnosed when anxiety is the predominant symptom that requires help from a mental health professional.
  
  
• Psychotherapy for people with anxiety disorders may include individual or group sessions and is particularly effective for social phobia and panic disorder.
  
  
• Medications used to treat anxiety disorders include anti-anxiety medications, antidepressants (many of which are also approved to treat anxiety) and beta blockers (medications usually used for heart conditions).