The Study
The study used a design where participants were exposed to vignettes of people struggling with depression or anxiety. The participants rated the severity of the problems and also completed other measures about perceptions of illnesses. Results showed that women were more likely than men to acknowledge the severity of the problems and recommend seeking help. Furthermore, compared to depression, anxiety was more likely to be seen as an illness (although not a very serious one) that could be effectively treated.
Results
Although this study did not directly examine generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), there are some important implications for GAD. Most importantly, it is that anxiety is seen as an illness, but not a serious one. This can become a barrier for people with GAD to seek treatment since they may minimize how serious the problem actually is. Furthermore, as would be expected, more women than men saw the problems as significant, which partly explains why more women seek help than men.
Seeking Help
If you struggle with anxiety, worry, or even GAD, it is important to seek help. You may not see the problem as extremely significant, but holding that belief can be a coping strategy to keep anxiety under control. Finding a treatment provider can help you discover a new level of health and develop the ability to let go of worries and live a more peaceful and satisfying life. .
Source:
Edwards et al. (2007). Reluctance to seek help and the perceptions of depression and anxiety in the United Kingdom. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 195(3), 258-261.
