Fact Sheet About Anxiety & Depression

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety

1 disorder is the most prevalent mental illness in the United States, affecting over
40 million adults (about 18% of the population).

While feeling anxious every now and then is perfectly normal, having an
2 unhealthy preoccupation with worries and negative thoughts can indicate an
anxiety disorder. Studies have shown that individuals with generalized anxiety
disorder (GAD) spend nearly five times the amount of time per day worrying (300
minutes) as a general worrier, who spends an average of 55 minutes per day
worrying.

There are several different types of anxiety disorders, including generalized

3 anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, major depressive
disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), separation anxiety disorder, post-
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and a wide range of various phobias.

Out of all the different anxiety disorders that have been diagnosed, GAD is by far

4 the most common, affecting over 21 million Americans (roughly 5% of the U.S.
population).

Women are twice as likely to be affected by anxiety disorders as men (except

5 for PTSD), and they typically exhibit symptoms of anxiety disorder earlier in life
than men do.

The most common time frame in which women develop anxiety disorders is the

6 span of time between adolescence and age 50.

Anxiety is often accompanied by several physical symptoms, including

7 headaches, dizziness, upset stomach, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, and/
or heart palpitations. Not only do anxiety sufferers experience these acute
symptoms, but anxiety can also put you at risk for developing a variety of
chronic health problems as well, including heart disease, respiratory ailments
and gastrointestinal problems.

It has been well-documented that anxiety can cause (or exacerbate) the

8 symptoms of an existing physical illness.

Anxiety disorder is rarely ever an isolated problem; it is often accompanied

9 by other conditions such as depression, substance abuse, eating disorders, or

attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD).

It is generally accepted in the medical community that a mind-body connection

10 exists--in other words, there appears to be a connection between a persons

mental well-being and their physical health. This has significant implications in
terms of anxiety disorder, because it is logical to assume that a worried, troubled
or distressed mind would have a negative impact on the physical body. In fact,
it is believed that chronic anxiety can actually suppress the immune system,
making the body more susceptible to illness.
 Scientists are currently studying possible links between anxiety and genetics.

11 While no conclusive evidence has been discovered as of yet, there are a large
number of medical professionals and researchers who believe that anxiety can
be inherited from family members who have also suffered from the disorder. In
other words, there is a possibility that a person can be genetically predisposed
to developing anxiety disorders. Others believe that it has more to do with
environmental and behavioral factors, but the prevailing opinion is that anxiety
disorder is a very complex condition that can result from a combination of
factors including genetics, behavior and environment.

There are a lot of unknowns when it comes to the biological factors that

12 contribute to anxiety disorder, but data from brain scan studies performed on
anxiety sufferers often indicates the presence of chemical imbalances.

Anxiety is quite treatable, but roughly two-thirds of people who suffer with

13 anxiety do not pursue or receive treatment for the disorder. This number is even
more pronounced in teenagers, where only 1 in 5 teens suffering with anxiety
disorder receive any kind of treatment for their condition.

Depression is another highly common mental disorder that affects roughly 20

14 million Americans every year. More than 350 million people worldwide (of all
ages) suffer from depression.

Depression is defined as a chronically depressed mood, or a state of mind that

15 is glum, sad or disinterested. Chronic depression can significantly impair a

persons ability to function in their day-to-day life.

Depression can produce a wide range of symptoms including poor sleep quality,

16 loss of appetite, low energy levels, poor concentration, low self-esteem, or even
suicidal ideations.

According to the World Health Organization, depression will become the

17 number-two cause of disability (behind HIV/AIDS) by the year 2030.

Treatment options for anxiety disorder include therapy, medication, coping

18 strategies, and various alternative therapies including meditation, positive

visualization, yoga, acupuncture and essential oils.

Common treatment options for depression include medication, psychotherapy,

19 behavior modification, essential oils or some combination of the four. While the
factors that contribute to depression can be numerous, these treatment methods
are thought to be the mainstay of remedial options to address the condition.

For more information on essential oils and essential oil recipes for dealing with
anxiety and depression, please refer to the following link:
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