Anxiety refers to a negative emotion and thinking involving worry and fear about something that is imminent or something that is uncertain or cannot be controlled.  When a person worries too much that it affects his/her own life or personal relationships, he/she may already have an anxiety disorder. Some form of concern or apprehension may be normal for all individuals depending on the situation or activity but when this feeling and thinking becomes so strong that it consumes the individual, it may be time for some expert or medical advice. Below are some facts related to anxiety:

Fact 1:  Anxiety disorders affect about 18% of all Americans.  As many as 40 million adults in the US are diagnosed with a type of anxiety disorder.  Some have panic disorders while others have different kinds of phobias.  All these cases contribute to being the most common form of mental illness in the US.

Fact 2:  Only 1/3 of anxiety cases in the US get the appropriate treatment.  Many cases of anxiety-related disorders are undiagnosed while some people who suffer from them do not seek medical help.

Fact 3:  About 1/3 of the mental health bill in the US is intended for expenses related to anxiety and related disorders.  More than 40 billion US dollars are spent on anxiety disorders every single year in the US and this amount constitutes to 1/3 of the total mental health spending by the government.

Fact 4:  Depression is also present in 50% of anxiety disorder cases. The negative thoughts and feelings of anxious people will basically lead them to develop negative moods which can eventually result to depression.

Fact 5:  Anxiety cases have a high genetic link.  Cases of anxiety related disorders were studied and genetics or heredity is among the main causes.  People who have parents, grandparents, or relatives who have had anxiety disorders are more prone to developing the same mental illness compared to those who don’t have any family history of the illness.

Fact 6:  People with anxiety disorders have a bigger sense of personal space.  Normal people may consider 20 inches away as a safe distance.  For anxious people, this kind of personal space away from the body is somewhat bigger based on studies.  The negativity of emotion and thoughts in anxiety cases makes people want more of this so-called personal space.

Fact 7:  Anxiety is a sure way of disrupting relationships.  Having clinical anxiety simply results to persistent negative thoughts and emotions like constant worries and fears of the unknown or for something bad that may happen. These feelings will then create barriers or concerns when involving other persons.

Fact 8:  People with anxiety disorders have a higher risk for hospitalization than normal people.  Having this type of mental disorder will give people more reasons for seeking medical attention and possible confinement in hospitals to get the proper treatment.

 Fact 9:  Anxiety disorders also make people lose their balance.  It is common for anxious people to be very light-headed and easily get dizzy or fall for no apparent reason. Studies have shown that the sense of balance is disturbed in people with anxiety related illness.

Fact 10:  Anxiety disorders can be treated successfully.  Various drugs and intervention therapies are available for various types of mental illnesses including anxiety disorders.