Anxiety disorders, which give rise to nervousness, fear, apprehension, and worrying, affect 40 million adults (18% of the population), making them the most common mental health concern in this country. At the same time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that heart disease is the leading cause of death among Americans. It seems these statistics are linked in that researchers have discovered that anxiety over health might increase the risk of heart disease. According to a 12-year study involving over 7,000 individuals, those suffering from health anxiety had a 73% higher risk of heart disease and a 48% higher risk of dying of a heart problem. Fortunately, anxiety disorders can be effectively treated with professional care.
You deserve to be healthy, physically and mentally. If you’re dealing with anxiety, let the counselors at our office help you. Our compassionate staff members understand what you’re going through and we can provide the help that you need to shed your worry and feel lighter. In addition, we can help if you’re dealing with depression, grief, or stress. If you would like an appointment, please call one of our offices. Or you can check out this website for a free on-line assessment.
P.S. In its most intense form, health anxiety becomes “hypochondria,” the fear of having serious illness(es) despite medical tests that indicate that nothing is wrong.