Why Is Anxiety So Common Right Now?
Oct 14, 2023
I think about this a lot. Maybe because I talk about anxiety so often. When people ask what I do, we end up talking about anxiety. About her best friend who struggles, her husband, her kids, about her own struggles. I haven’t met anyone who says “Anxiety? Don’t know anyone with that problem.” Not once.
While there isn’t one definitive answer from science about why it’s so common, there is some agreement in the scientific community. I also have some ideas. I’ll share them here. Maybe some of this will resonate with you.
For one thing, our awareness of mental health issues has increased. I remember being in college and learning about different psychological disorders. Suddenly, I had names for things that I had experienced in my lifetime. I had experienced moments of anxiety in my life but never knew what to call it. Mind-blowing! So, part of the reason more people are diagnosed is simply this…we are more aware of anxiety.
We were all diagnosing ourselves and our family members but my professor reminded us, there’s a big difference between symptoms and disorders. You may experience the symptoms but it’s considered a disorder when the symptoms affect your ability to function in your life. Note taken!
The increase in social media use is strongly correlated with increases in anxiety. So much of it is related to social comparisons but also the changes in our brains’ response to dopamine. Research is still being conducted but one thing we know for sure…higher social media use = higher levels of anxiety.
A third issue is our diet. Sugar, processed foods, alcohol, and otherwise nutrient deficient diets have led to poor gut health. The inflammation in our guts has been linked to problems like asthma, lowered immune function, type 2 diabetes and anxiety. We now understand that there is a bidirectional communication between our gut and brains.
Finally, we are STRESSED! We are taking on more work, more activities, we are exposed to more negative world events. Chronic stress and overwhelm can (and often does) lead to anxiety.
So, how about you? How are you doing right now?
October is National Mental Health Screening month. I think I understand why. The holiday season is coming soon and even if you are in a good place from a mental health perspective, it can be stressful. Click the link below to check out a free screening tool for anxiety. If you’re struggling or even feeling not yourself, now is a great time to take care of yourself before the hustle and bustle of the holiday season!
PS- The assessment is hosted by my friends over a Rx for Wholeness. They have a number of resources for support as well.
https://rx4wholeness.org/user/login?destination=/assessment/gad