Understand the Facts | Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA

Understanding Disorders

What Are Anxiety and Depression?

Anxiety disorders are real, serious medical conditions - just as real and serious as physical disorders such as heart disease or diabetes. Anxiety disorders are the most common and pervasive mental disorders in the United States.

Depression is a condition in which a person feels discouraged, sad, hopeless, unmotivated, or disinterested in life in general for more than two weeks and when the feelings interfere with daily activities.

Major depression is a treatable illness that affects the way a person thinks, feels, behaves, and functions. At any point in time, 3 to 5 percent of people suffer from major depression; the lifetime risk is about 17 percent.

At any point in time, 3 to 5 percent of people suffer from major depression; the lifetime risk is about 17 percent.

It's a normal part of life to experience occasional anxiety.

But you may experience anxiety that is persistent, seemingly uncontrollable, and overwhelming. If it's an excessive, irrational dread of everyday situations, it can be disabling. When anxiety interferes with daily activities it is time to seek help.

The term "anxiety disorder" refers to specific psychiatric disorders that involve extreme fear or worry, and includes generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder and panic attacks, agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder, selective mutism, separation anxiety, and specific phobias.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are closely related to anxiety disorders, which some may experience at the same time as depression.

FACTS AND STATISTICS

Understanding Anxiety and Depression is the First Step

40Million

National prevalence data indicate that nearly 40 million people in the United Sates(18%) experience an anxiety disorder in any given year.

Approximately 8% of children and teenagers experience an anxiety disorder with most people developing symptoms before the age of 21.

322Million

322 million people worldwide live with depression (WHO).

17.3Million

An estimated 17.3 million adults in the Untied States had at least one major depressive episode in 2017. This number represented 7.1% of all U.S. adults (NIMH).

DID YOU KNOW?

Researchers are learning that anxiety disorders run in families, and that they have a biological basis, much like allergies or diabetes and other disorders.

Anxiety disorders may develop from a complex set of risk factors, including genetics, brain chemistry, personality, and life events.

Many people who develop depression have a history of an anxiety disorder earlier in life.

There is no evidence one disorder causes the other, but there is clear evidence that many people suffer from both disorders.

Everyday Anxiety or an Anxiety Disorder

Which One Is it?

Everyday Anxiety

Worry about paying bills, landing a job, a romantic breakup, or other important events.

Embarrassment or self-consciousness in an uncomfortable or awkward social situation.

A case of nerves or sweating before a big test, business presentation, stage performance, or other significant event.

Realistic fear of a dangerous object, place, or situation.

Anxiety, sadness, or difficulty sleeping immediately after a traumatic event.

Anxiety Disorder

Constant and unsubstantiated worry that causes significant distress and interferes with daily life.

Avoiding social situations for fear of being judged, embarrassed, or humiliated.

Seemingly out-of-the-blue panic attacks and the preoccupation with the fear of having another one.

Irrational fear or avoidance of an object, place, or situation that poses little or no threat of danger.

Recurring nightmares, flashbacks, or emotional numbing related to a traumatic event that occurred several months or years before.

Topics

More Anxiety and Depression Resources

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

People with GAD don’t know how to stop the worry cycle and feel it is beyond their control.

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Depression

Most people feel low and sad at times. However, for those diagnosed with depression, the manifestations of the low mood are much more severe and they tend to persist.

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Co-Occurring Disorders

Many people with an anxiety disorder also have a co-occurring disorder or physical illness, which can make symptoms worse and recovery more difficult.

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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a common and chronic disorder that manifests as uncontrollable, reoccurring thoughts (obsessions) and/or behaviors (compulsions) that one continuously repeats.

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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a serious potentially debilitating psychiatric disorder that can occur in people who have experienced or witnessed serious or life-threatening events.

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Prevention & Warning Signs

You're not alone. Whether you have struggled with suicide yourself or have lost a loved one support is available.

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Coronavirus Anxiety

For many in our public community the COVID pandemic is still triggering increased anxiety. Find helpful tips and strategies from our ADAA mental health professionals.

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Panic Disorder

Panic disorder is diagnosed in people who experience spontaneous seemingly out-of-the-blue panic attacks and are very preoccupied with the fear of a recurring attack.

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