Panic and Anxiety Disorder Research Receives Renewed Attention

For researchers and scientists devoted to studying panic and anxiety disorders, a misconception among the general public can be frustrating when trying to win funding for research: the idea that anxiety disorders are not as serious as other mental health issues and are just a normal human emotion.   

Even when a group of distinguished scientists met in New York to discuss standards for research and treatment of panic and anxiety disorders in young people there was consternation among some of their peers about the importance of such research.  In order to showcase the severity of panic and anxiety disorders, the scientists embarked to show that the disorders are more prevalent than many other mental health problems and can be just as problematic for those afflicted.

The Child Study Center Foundation – the host of the event – has been working for years to distinguish normal sadness from depression, but has not focused much attention on making the same type of distinction about normal anxiety and the clinically diagnosed disorder. 

Anxiety is a normal human reaction to stress and threatening stimuli; it is when this anxiety comes to interfere with simple, everyday life tasks that it can be classified as a more serious panic and anxiety disorder.  In any given year, 13% of children and adults suffer from this more serious form of anxiety, costing the United States more than $42 billion a year, or one third of the nation's expenses on mental health. 

The issue has become particularly urgent among mental health professionals.  Panic and anxiety disorders, if not treated correctly, can be a variety of illnesses: social phobia, panic disorder, anorexia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and more.  More and more researchers are becoming concerned about the lack of interest among the public for funding further research to combat these panic and anxiety disorders.