Mental Health Experts to Discuss Research
and Treatment of Anxiety Disorders

SILVER SPRING, Md. (Feb. 25, 2009) — Hundreds of medical and scientific experts will attend an international conference for professionals who specialize in anxiety disorders from March 12-15, hosted by the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA). Gathering at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa near Albuquerque, N.M., they will discuss the latest research and best clinical practices for treating adults and children.

Everyone feels anxious these days: The daily reports of job losses, stock market slides, bankruptcies, and foreclosures give most people good reason. Anxiety is a normal response to such difficult situations, but if it becomes persistent and overwhelming, it may be the sign of an anxiety disorder. For 40 million adults in the U.S., anxiety disorders interfere with normal, everyday functioning.

Jerilyn Ross, ADAA President and CEO, will be available for interviews on Wed., March 11, and Thurs., March 12. The media will have an opportunity to interview other experts about anxiety related to the economic crisis, as well as a variety of other mental health topics (abstracts are available online via www.adaa.org):

• PTSD, including the risk for service members deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan and non-military PTSD
• Best practices for treating anxiety disorders in children (the most commonly diagnosed mental health disorders in this population), including separation anxiety, school refusal, OCD, and other disorders
• Mind-body practices in treating anxiety disorders
• Treatments for comorbid anxiety and substance-abuse disorders
• Link between anxiety and IBS and GI illnesses, and anxiety and neurological disorders
• Treating anxiety disorders in primary care
• The genetics of anxiety disorders
• Heart disease, anxiety and stress
• Anxiety and suicide
• Hoarding and obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Breathing techniques to reduce stress

Anxiety disorders are the most common psychiatric illnesses: More than 40 million U.S. adults are affected (18.1% of the population), and anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness diagnosed in children. The disorders include generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD), panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorders (PTSD), specific phobias and social anxiety disorder.

Did you know…?

• Nearly one-half of adults diagnosed with major depression are also diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. A study of people ages 16 to 25 indicates that having any anxiety disorder increased odds by six of suicidal behavior in patients who also reported depression.
• Anxiety disorders cost the U.S. more than one-third of the country’s total mental health bill. Many costs are associated with the repeated use of health care services because people with anxiety disorders often seek relief for symptoms that mimic physical illnesses.
• Studies have long shown that people diagnosed with mood and anxiety disorders are nearly twice as likely to suffer from a drug use disorder, and the inverse.