News from Freedom From Fear: Physical Pain of Anxiety and Depression Revealed in New National Study; Overwhelming Belief That Depression or Anxiety Can Cause Painful Physical Symptoms.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 23, 2003

An increase in physical aches and pains is directly attributed to anxiety disorders and depression, according to the results of a new national study released today.

The study was conducted among 410 attendees of the National Anxiety Disorders Screening Day (NADSD) on May 7, 2003. The results were analyzed and reviewed by the Epidemiology of Mental Disorders Research at the New York State Psychiatric Institute.

Sixty percent (60%) of the respondents with undiagnosed medical conditions said that on days when they feel anxious or depressed, there is a moderate (41%) to severe (19%) change in their physical symptoms or aches and pains. These physical symptoms or aches and pains include backaches (13%), vague aches and pains (14%), headaches (14%), digestive pain (11%) and dizziness (8%).

Respondents were also asked if they believe that depression or anxiety can cause painful physical symptoms. Almost nine out of ten (88%) said they believed this statement.

The impact of physical symptoms or aches and pains on work, social life and family life was also explored:

-- Forty percent (40%) said that the physical symptoms disrupt

their work moderately (21%), mostly (7%) or extremely (12%)

-- Forty-three percent (43%) said that the physical symptoms

disrupt their social lives moderately (17%), mostly (14%) or

extremely (12%)

-- Almost one out of two (47%) said that physical symptoms

disrupt their family life/home responsibilities moderately

(22%), mostly (13%) or extremely (12%)

"This study demonstrates that the physical pain of depression is very real, and may be having a significant impact on people's productivity and their quality of life," said Mary Guardino, executive director of Freedom From Fear, the national non-profit mental illness advocacy organization that conducted the study. "Furthermore, for people with depression or anxiety, understanding, acknowledging and talking to their healthcare provider about both their emotional and painful physical symptoms might give them the best chance for getting complete treatment."

Interestingly, one out of two (50%) of respondents with diagnosed medical conditions, such as arthritis, migraines, diabetes, heart and respiratory diseases, reported that on days when they feel anxious or depressed, there is a moderate (38%) to severe (12%) change in their physical symptoms or aches and pains.

Freedom From Fear

Freedom From Fear (FFF) is a national not-for-profit mental illness advocacy organization founded in 1984. The mission of FFF is to aid and counsel individuals and their families who suffer from anxiety or depressive illnesses. Information is available at www.freedomfromfear.org. FFF is the organizer of the annual National Anxiety Disorders Screening Day.

National Anxiety Disorders Screening Day (NADSD)

NADSD was held on May 7, 2003 at approximately 1000 sites around the country. Sponsored by more than 15 mental health organizations, NADSD gives people across the country the opportunity to be screened for anxiety and depressive illnesses. The free and confidential program includes viewing a video, meeting with a mental health professional, completing a screening questionnaire, and receiving a variety of educational materials. The program began in 1994 and has screened more than 500,000 people to date.

This year's NADSD was supported by a grant from Eli Lilly & Company.

Survey Methodology

During the 2003 NADSD on May 7, 410 people successfully completed surveys on issues related to the physical symptoms of anxiety disorders and depression. These surveys were then analyzed by the Epidemiology of Mental Disorders Research at the New York State Psychiatric Institute.