DBSA Anxiety Survey 2005

Summary (Top reported answers)

Do you ever experience anxiety symptoms?
96%    Yes
4%       No

What anxiety symptoms do you experience?             
72%       Being easily tired 
69%       Problems concentrating
66%       Irritability
66%       Excessive worry
63%       Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
58%       Restlessness, feeling keyed-up or on edge
57%       Unwanted ideas, images, or impulses
50%       Muscle tension/aches 

Which anxiety disorder(s), if any, have you been diagnosed with?
45%    I have not been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder
31%    Generalized anxiety disorder
21%    Panic disorder
17%    Social anxiety or social phobia 

Did your doctor ask about any of the following symptoms when you first talked to him/her about your mood disorder?
88%       Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
79%       Restlessness, feeling keyed-up
71%       Chronic Worry
52%       Muscle tension or aches
51%       Rapid heartbeat 

What help did your doctor offer for your anxiety symptoms?
41%    Suggested medication for anxiety in addition to medication for mood disorder
41%    Suggested talk therapy
39%    Suggested medication for the combined treatment of mood disorders and anxiety

How are you treating your anxiety symptoms?
63%    Medication
40%    Self-talk
35%    Talk therapy
25%    Relaxation exercises (deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, etc)

What helps you to reduce anxiety?
64%     Taking my mind off the anxiety (reading, watching TV, chores, etc)
55%     Listening to music
52%     Talking about it with a friend/family member
41%     Talking about it with a doctor/therapist
34%     Journaling, writing, or poetry 

Where do you think your anxiety comes from?
69%       Symptom of mood disorder
69%       Response to life event(s)
44%       Heredity 

Did your doctor tell you that anxiety may be a side effect of your mood disorder medication?
84%      No
16%      Yes

How do your loved ones help you? (check all that apply)
58%       They listen to me talk about how I feel
50%       They reassure me
47%       They remind me not to be so hard on myself
46%       They give me space

If you have bipolar disorder, do you think your anxiety is worse during a manic or depressive state?
42%       Do not know
32%       Anxiety is worse during a depressive state
17%       Anxiety is worse during a manic state
9%         Always the same