Get Informed: Anxiety
Anxiety: Overview
Anxiety disorders are psychological conditions that occur when anxiety, a normal reaction to fear or stress, occurs in excessive amounts or abnormal ways. Anxiety disorders commonly occur together with other conditions such as depression, may run in families, and can occasionally linked to a specific triggering event or situation. Examples of anxiety disorders include Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorder, Obsessive-Complusive Disorder (OCD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and specific phobias - such as fear of social situations, confined spaces or items such as snakes or spiders.
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Jul-30 10:45 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Jul-26 10:20 PM
1 in 8 people have Anxiety
iGuard is currently monitoring more than 256,830 patients with Anxiety from around the United States as shown on the heat map below. These figures suggest that roughly 34.7 million Americans have Anxiety with women being 3 times more likely to be affected than men.
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
Medications used for Anxiety
Drugs commonly taken by iGuard users for Anxiety are listed below, together with the percentage of patients that take each drug.
|
Commonly Used Medication Name* (Hover mouse over name to see medication class) |
% of Patients | Average Risk Rating | Has Generic Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xanax | 13% |
|
Yes |
| Lexapro | 10% |
|
No |
| Effexor | 7% |
|
Yes |
| Zoloft | 7% |
|
Yes |
| Paxil | 7% |
|
Yes |
| Cymbalta | 6% |
|
No |
| Prozac | 6% |
|
Yes |
| Klonopin | 6% |
|
Yes |
| Abilify | 5% |
|
No |
| Ativan | 5% |
|
Yes |
| Celexa | 5% |
|
Yes |
Less than 5%: Wellbutrin, Seroquel, Buspar, Valium, Desyrel, Depakote
*This list is NOT EXHAUSTIVE - Only drugs used by a sufficiently large number of iGuard users are listed.
**Medications are sometimes known by different brand/generic names, depending upon how they are packaged or used.
Global Patient Feedback for Anxiety ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I am a 63 year old female with several medical conditions, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart condition and thyroid problems. I am on five medications, coreg CR, Lasix, Synthroid, Potassium Cloride and Lantus with a risk rating of four. My doctor recently changed my BP medication to Micardis HCT and I have started having terrible anxiety attacks. Could medication be the cause? Help.
62 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-06-26 14:27:28
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Your medications do not typically cause anxiety. It is important to be monitored regularly while on these medications to make sure you are on the appropriate doses. Many issues can contribute to anxiety attacks, including your medical conditions not being as well controlled as they could be. Talk with your doctor about your increased anxiety and see if together you can determine the underlying cause in order to find the best treatment for it.
Posted: 2010-07-09 00:31:16
Question/Comment:
I was having chest pain (right in the middle of my chest) that would get progressively worse as I drove home (farther from the hospital!) and was convinced I had a heart condition. After going through a stress test and several other tests my PA determined I was suffering from anxiety. I have been on Zoloft (25 mg) for several years and it has made a huge difference for me. I've tried going off the medication when I feel good, but the chest tightness returns so I'm sticking with the low dose.
52 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-05-14 12:13:58
Question/Comment:
Whenever I get in a situation where I feel stressed, pressed for time, agitated over bills, etc. I get a feeling in the middle of my chest that feels like someone's sitting on my chest. Is this anxiety?
59 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-31 02:38:00
Answer/Reply:
I was told i had anxiety when i went to the hospital. i have copd with emphsema as well as a few other problems.I was having a hard time catching a breath and i felt like my throat was closing. this was an intermintent thing i felt this way constantly. at the time (2 yrs ago) i was on morphine sulfate er 60mg 1 x3 daily and neurton for nerve pain,.I have severe scoliosis and am in alot of pain.Now this new doctor stills has me on the morphine,citalopram,diazepam and nexium.It seems to be working,i've been on these meds for 1 1/2 yrs.
51 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-31 19:14:52
iGuard Answer/Reply:
It most likely is anxiety. It would be a good idea discuss your symptoms and the timing with your doctor in the event that it is something else, or if you have a history of cardiac issues.
Posted: 2010-04-03 11:46:29
Answer/Reply:
Anxiety is difficult to define in real terms as it can be different for each individual. Classic signs are defined as a state of apprehension and psychic tension; distress or uneasiness of mind caused by fear of danger or misfortune; or an earnest but tense desire as in eagerness. Symptoms as you describe are certainly signs of what could be described as anxiety. Have you discussed these symptoms and their frequency with your family doctor? Many treatment options are available including alternative medicine and conventional medicine. Many would suggest a good diet and routine exercise as a great place to start.
52 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-04-25 20:58:13
Question/Comment:
My daughter who is 9 suffers from severe anxiety, she could not make friends, participate in group activities and was frustrated with just about everyone and everything. Her pediatrician put her on Abilify and it has made a world of difference, she is more like a normal child now.
45 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-01-27 09:06:09
Question/Comment:
It is generally accepted that exercise reduces anxiety. However, some individuals feel more anxiety after exercising. This is not uncommon and can be remedied by recognizing what is causing the anxiety symptoms.
26 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-01-27 05:39:11
You may post comments for the benefit of other patients or post questions other patients might be able to answer. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Only your age and gender will be published with your comment, although your other user details will be securely recorded for verification purposes.
Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
64
Patient Comments About
Anxiety