Panic
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The Politics of Anxiety Disorder Treatments - Who suffers?
IN DETAIL
THE INCIDENCE OF ANXIETY DISORDERS
Research suggests that Anxiety Disorders represent the
largest mental health problem in the general population. Most
studies claim the incidence of Anxiety Disorders is 12.6% of the
population or greater. (2) Consequently it may be assumed that 2.2
million Australians (3) experience an Anxiety Disorder.
Recent research suggests that people with Anxiety Disorders come
from all walks of life.(9) Studies of people with Panic Disorder
have suggested that they do not differ from the general population
at large in terms of their education and socio - economic status.
(10)
It has only been in the last few years that international
research has shown the severe disabilities associated to the
Disorders. These include the development of major depression,
suicide, drug and/or alcohol abuse and avoidance behaviour
(Agoraphobia). This recognition has now led to the inclusion of a
'Serious Mental Disorder' category for 20% of people with Panic
Disorder, 20% of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and 10%
of people with Social Phobia in 1994. (2)
PERSONAL & SOCIAL COSTS OF ANXIETY DISORDERS
A community survey of 18,000 people in the United States in
1984 known as the Epidemiological Catchment Area Study (ECA) has
produced a series of papers describing the somewhat surprising level
of disability of these Disorders.
SUICIDE
In particular almost 20% of persons with Panic Disorder had
at some point in their lives attempted suicide, a rate similar to
that of major depression (4) Coryell et al found an excess in
mortality in Panic Disorder with suicides accounting for 20% of
deaths compared to 16.2% in the major depression group.
A study of people with Panic Disorder in South Australia has
produced similar results. In the study of 100 members of the Panic
Anxiety Disorder Association, 14% of the sample had attempted
suicide and 54% had seriously thought about suicide.(5)
DRUG AND ALCOHOL
Studies indicate that approximately 10 - 40% of alcoholics
have a pre-existing Anxiety related Disorder and about 10 - 20% of
Anxiety Disorder patients abuse alcohol or other drugs. The majority
of patients with both an Anxiety Disorder and alcohol related
problem report that anxiety problems preceded alcohol problems. (6 )
The South Australian study shows 26% of subjects reported using
alcohol because of Panic Disorder. (5)
UNEMPLOYMENT
People with Anxiety Disorders are more likely to be under
employed or unemployed. (10, 11) In the study conducted in South
Australia 18% of the respondents were unemployed, with 44% having
lost a job at some time because of Panic Disorder/Agoraphobia. 33%
reported having to take lower positions at some time because of the
Disorder. For 34% of the sample the mean economic loss was $41,000.
(5)
In a recent report which provides details of the Ludbrook Anxiety
Disorders Clinic in New Zealand, it was reported that 60% of all
patients with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder were either unemployed
or were on sickness benefits. (14)
ECONOMIC COSTS OF ANXIETY DISORDERS
A recent survey in the United Kingdom has placed the
economic costs of Anxiety Disorders (calculated solely on the basis
of absenteeism) at about 3 Billion Pounds per year. (7) In 1980 the
economic costs of Panic Disorder alone, calculated in terms of
employment losses, disability benefits, financial support and health
care costs were estimated to be One Billion dollars in the United
States. (8)
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