Anxiety disorders generally respond very well to treatment, but only about one-third of patients who are suffering from this spectrum of conditions will seek treatment. In the meantime, a person struggles through decreased productivity at work, a withdrawal from home and family life, and a long-term toll on the body. While anxiety disorders are classified as mental disorders, strong evidence shows that the effects of such conditions are quite physical, and quite serious. Chronic anxiety can lead to a range of disorders that includes depression, insomnia, obesity, memory loss, and skin conditions like eczema, as well as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
Anxiety Is No Small Thing
A 2012 population-based study conducted by University College London (UCL) and published in the British Medical Journal shone a light on the physical toll that even mild mental health problems can have on the body, problems that ultimately lead to a lower life expectancy. The study surveyed data from more than 68,000 adults 35 and older, looking for trends among those people who had reported feeling anxiety or depression during the course of the study. The findings were clear: those with anxiety and depression were statistically more likely to have died over the course of an eight-year period from a range of conditions, including cardiovascular disease.
The study also showed that the risks associated with anxiety and depression were both primary and secondary. Stress took a toll on the body, with patients reporting a higher risk of unhealthy behaviors, including smoking, alcohol consumption, and poor diet. In turn, these lifestyle behaviors led to a higher rate of diabetes. Patients were also less likely to maintain a healthy exercise routine.