February 10, 2016,
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- National Institute of Mental Health
- National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
- National Mental Health Association
- American Massage Therapy Association
- American Institute for Cognitive Therapy
- Association for the Advancement of Behavior Therapy
- The American Psychiatric Association
- The National Association of Social Workers
- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- The American Institute of Stress
- The Obsessive Compulsive Foundation
All types of anxiety disorders can be very debilitating and seriously affect a person’s quality of life.
Association with Depression and Bipolar Disorders
Depression. Depression is very common in people with an anxiety disorder, and it is sometimes difficult to distinguish one from the other because either or both can be accompanied by anxious feelings, agitation, insomnia, and problems with concentration.
The combination of depression and anxiety is a major risk factor for both substance abuse and suicide.
Bipolar Disorder. Symptoms of panic disorder are very common in people with bipolar disorder. Furthermore, anxiety worsens bipolar disorder.
Increased Risk for Suicide
Panic disorder is associated with a risk for suicidal thoughts. Studies report that up to 18% of people with panic disorder attempt suicide and up to 38.5% regularly harbor suicidal thoughts, with the risks being higher in people with both panic disorder and depression. Social phobias and OCD also increase the risk of suicide. If a person has an anxiety disorder and a mood disorders (such as depression), the risk for suicide is even higher.
Alcoholism and Other Forms of Substance Abuse
Severely depressed or anxious people are at high risk for alcoholism, smoking, and other forms of addiction. Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent among people with alcoholism. Moreover, long-term alcohol use can itself cause biologic changes that may actually produce anxiety and depression.
Risk for Substance Abuse in Specific Anxiety Disorders. The following are some observations on specific anxiety disorders and substance abuse:
- Some people with GAD and panic disorders may use alcohol or drugs to self-medicate.
- Social phobia appears to pose a particular risk for alcohol abuse. People with this disorder are likely to drink in order to boost confidence. Alcohol itself has no direct beneficial effect on anxiety, but studies suggest that the belief in its effect appears to relieve anxious feelings.
- Heavy smoking and substance abuse are common in people with PTSD. In adolescents, PTSD not only increases the risk for drug and alcohol use but also for eating disorders.
Effects on Work, School, and Relationships
Anxiety disorders can have negative effects on work and relationships.
Physical Effects of Anxiety Disorders in Adults
Anxiety disorders are associated with many different physical illnesses. Research suggests that people who have both an anxiety disorder and a physical illness have a worse quality of life and greater risk for disability than those who have only a physical illness. Anxiety disorders often tend to occur before the development of physical disorders.
Heart Disease. Anxiety has been associated with several heart risk factors, including unhealthy cholesterol levels, thicker blood vessels, and high blood pressure. Both anxiety and depression have been associated with a poorer response to treatment in heart patients, including a worse outcome after heart surgery. The role of anxiety disorders in triggering serious cardiac events remains unclear.
Gastrointestinal Disorders. Anxiety frequently accompanies gastrointestinal conditions. Of note, half the cases of irritable bowel syndrome are associated with anxiety.
Headache. Both tension and migraine headaches are associated with anxiety disorders.
Respiratory Problems. Studies report an association between anxiety in patients with obstructive lung conditions (such as asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis) and more frequent relapses.
Obesity . Anxiety disorders may lead to obesity, and the reverse may also be true.
Allergic Conditions . Anxiety disorders are associated with numerous allergic conditions including hay fever, eczema, hives, food allergies, and conjunctivitis.
Other Conditions . People with obsessive-compulsive disorders can experience skin problems from excessive washing, injuries from repetitive physical acts, and hair loss from repeated hair pulling (behavior known as trichotillomania).
Physical Effects of Anxiety Disorders in Children
Children with anxiety disorders often suffer from recurrent stomach aches. Anxiety has been associated with a higher risk for sleep disorders in children, such as frequent nightmares, restless legs syndrome, and bruxism (the grinding and gnashing of the teeth during sleep).
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