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Is it Anxiety or an Anxiety Disorder? How COVID-19 Complicates it

December 09, 2020

Experts call it the underlying crisis. While COVID-19 cases spike around the country, more than a third of Americans report related depression and anxiety.

Census Bureau statistics released this summer — 24 percent of 42,000 respondents reported significant symptoms of major depressive disorder and 30 percent symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder – were, in some cases, double those uncovered in 2014. In Connecticut, 36 percent said they felt anxious or depressed.

The pandemic, according to the data, affects people ages 18 to 29 more, with 42 percent reporting anxiety and 36 percent depression. The second most-affected age group was people 30 to 39, with 34 percent reporting anxiety and 28 percent depression. Older people, who are more at risk for catching and dying from COVID-19, were far less likely to report emotional reactions. Sixteen percent of people age 70 to 79 and 11 percent over 80 reported anxiety; 12 percent age 70 to 79 and 9 percent over 80 said they felt depressed.

Most people feel anxious at times, especially during a pandemic. But if you feel anxious all the time and it’s affecting your life, you might be suffering from an anxiety disorder. Get more information at a free webinar Dec. 15 at 6:30 p.m., with a presentation by the Institute of Living’s Family Resource Center. You can also learn how to help a friend of family member living with anxiety.

To register, click here.