We live a frenzied pace, eat unhealthy fast or convenience
foods, breathe in environmental pollutants, and deal with
financial and familial pressures not commonly found in previous
generations. So it’s not hard to see why millions of Americans
are suffering from some form of emotional illness, whether in
the form of a depressive disorder or an anxiety disorder.
Anxiety disorders, according to the National Institute for
Mental Health (NIMH), are the most common form of mental illness
affecting 13.3 percent (19.1 million) of U.S. adults each year.
These disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, panic
disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic
stress disorder, and phobias. While women are more prone to
anxiety and panic disorders, both sexes are equally affected by
OCD and social phobia. Anxiety—which often precedes
depression—affects approximately 9.5 percent, or 18.8 million,
Americans each year. And, 35 to 40 million Americans will suffer
from a depressive disorder at some point in th