Anxiety Complications

For those individuals who suffer from serious anxiety, there are numerous physical and emotional complications that can arise as a direct result of their disorder. Studies have shown that individuals with an anxiety disorder in combination with other health issues have a poorer quality of life and are more likely to become disabled than those who suffer from a physical illness only.

Anxiety disorder sufferers also have more difficulty with personal and occupational relationships and children who suffer from anxiety disorders such as OCD are more likely to suffer bullying in school.

Emotional Complications and Substance Abuse

It is very common for individuals who suffer from an anxiety disorder to also have depression as estimates show that the risk for depression among individuals with an anxiety disorder is as much as seventy percent higher to acquire depression at some point during their lifetime than individuals who do not have this illness.

Depression and anxiety are two different mental health conditions; however, having anxiety can potentially cause depression as well as having depression may cause an anxiety disorder. Individuals who have a combination of depression and anxiety are also at a higher risk for substance abuse and suicide.

Studies have shown that individuals with generalized anxiety disorders have a tendency to abuse alcohol as a way of self medicating while individuals who have a social phobia are particularly susceptible to alcohol abuse as they tend to use alcohol as way to build their self confidence for facing social situations.

It is also very common among individuals who have post traumatic stress syndrome to be heavy smokers and substance abusers of drugs and alcohol and they are also at a higher risk for developing eating disorders.

The Physical Complications that can occur with an Anxiety Disorder

Research has shown that individuals suffering from an anxiety disorder are at a higher risk for heart disease, and high blood pressure. Some studies conducted have shown that individuals with post traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, and phobias, are more susceptible to sudden death from a heart attack or cardiac event.

Research studies have also shown that individuals with a panic disorder also have a tendency to have high cholesterol levels. Gastrointestinal disorders are also very common among individuals with anxiety and studies conducted have shown that fifty percent of individuals with irritable bowel syndrome have some form of anxiety.

Migraine and tension headaches are also commonly associated with anxiety and studies have shown that thirty two percent of people who suffer from chronic tension headaches also have some form of anxiety. Individuals with anxiety are also more susceptible to eating disorders which can lead to obesity as well as anorexia.

Individuals who have OCD commonly have other medical issues directly related to their condition due to their repetitive behaviors. A common condition among OCD patients are skin disorders due to frequent hand washing or bathing. When an anxiety disorder is diagnosed and treated early, the potential for these complications to occur is significantly reduced.