Did you know that anxiety is the most common mental illness affecting 40 million adults in the US every year? Here are some key facts and statistics to help you understand anxiety.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder affects 6.8 million adults, or 3.1% of the U.S. population, yet only 43.2% are receiving treatment.

Social Anxiety Disorder affects 15 million adults, or 6.8% of the U.S. population.

Specific phobias affect 19 million adults, or 8.7% of the U.S. population.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder affects 2.2 million adults, or 1.0% of the U.S. population.

PTSD affects 7.7 million adults, or 3.5% of the U.S. population.

Seek treatment if:
1. Anxiety interferes with your ability to function.
2. You experience frequent triggers throughout the day.
3. You feel out of control and find it difficult to get through the day.

Fortunately, there are several effective treatments for anxiety disorders.

By Damaris Karanja, MA, MEd, LPC, RDN, a licensed Mental Health Professional Counselor and Registered Dietitian at Healing Streams Counseling.