While scrolling through social media there is a high chance a person will come across some information or a quote about anxiety. This prevalence online is not abnormal, because according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses affecting the population today.
In America alone, there are approximately 40 million people living with these debilitating illnesses. However, only about one-third of these people will seek help. (ADAA, 2016). Why do you think this is? Is it fear of judgement?
Causes of Anxiety
The brain pathways that are involved in anxiety have been extensively studied. A paper published in the journal of Frontiers in Psychiatry explains some of the neurochemistry behind this mental illness.
Many studies in this field have involved animals, such as mice. The experiments being done are trying to figure out the mechanism behind anxiety and learning. Researchers are looking at whether experiencing certain events can cause anxiety.
One of the major findings by Johannas Reul was that stress and histone modifications can cause changes in gene transcription. Gene transcription affects any processes in your body, including the formation of memories. This finding shows that stressful situations may lead to more memories, which may be a connection to anxiety.
Treatment
There are a variety of treatments for anxiety. A person could go into therapy, take medications, or try alternative treatments. Everyone responds differently to treatments, but with this array of options there is something for everyone.
One well-known form of therapy is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT will help individuals identify the problem, understand it, and come up with new ways of thinking and behaving when the problem arises (Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 2016).
There are numerous medications that can be prescribed for anxiety disorders. If one type does not work for a patient then the doctor can try another. There can be adverse effects, but medication is still an option for those who are willing to try it.
If there are his many options for help, why are only one-third of people seeking a solution?
Anxiety on College Campuses
Surveys done by college campuses have shown that one of the top concerns in counseling centers is anxiety (American Psychiatric Association, 2016). College can be a very stressful time, so it is understandable that this is such a frequent issue.
There are programs on many campuses that try to deal with mental illnesses, such as Active Minds. Programs like these can help raise awareness of the problem and fight the stigma that is associated with mental illness diagnoses.
Anxiety can take many forms, ranging from general anxiety to social anxiety and panic disorders. A large part of college is meeting new people and being in social situations, which can seem impossible for some people.
Other students will suffer from test anxiety. A student may study and prepare for hours, but if they suffer from this type of anxiety the effort may not show. There are ways to try to manage this anxiety, but it can be debilitating.
These are only a couple of the numerous anxieties that college students will face. There is a clear difference between stress and anxiety, and many college students need to take the time to learn more about this so they can seek help if they need it.
The Rise of Anxiety on College Campuses
