I will leave the precise definition, prevalence and diagnostic tools to the psychologists. Suffice to say that anxiety and its cousin depression have been on the increase in recent decades.
Both anxiety and depression often lead to a lack of social intercourse in those experiencing these conditions. Even those individuals who are introverts need a certain level of interactions with others to achieve a productive and contented existence.
Unfortunately, many of the treatments utilized are not necessarily appropriate to the needs of the individuals involved. Many of my clients that had previously been put on medication report to me the negative effects of this regime on their overall wellbeing.
And all too often alternative courses of action such as counselling, exercise, yoga, hypnosis, mindfulness and meditation are not even discussed. This is disappointing as these and other alternatives, or a combination of methodologies, can have better long term outcomes. Often quick simplistic solutions seem all too attractive and health professionals are often under some pressure to employ such methods.
Apart from anything else individuals who are on mind altering prescribed medication are less inclined to make social connections and they often lack the motivation to move out of their comfort zone. The result is often a dis-engagement from activities that could be beneficial to their mind, body and soul.
Quoting from BACP (British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy) newsletter (2013):
“The current research indicates that counselling can be an effective intervention for a range of presenting issues … and can have greater clinical effectiveness than usual care and other forms of treatment such as pharmacotherapy.”
Patrick Moloney 8/8/2017