Speech Example on Overcoming Anxiety: Why Most Don't Seek Help

Introduction

The topic of my speech is general anxiety and the reason why most people fail to seek help. I know most of you know what anxiety is, but I will explain; anxiety is a mental disorder that causes nervousness, worry, and fear in the people that are affected by it. Anxiety affects how people feel and behave. As recorded by the National Institutes of Mental Health in the United States, anxiety disorders are the most common conditions among individuals in the United States, and it affects at least 20 percent of the overall population every year (Robichaud, Koerner & Dugas, 2019). Most individuals that are considered to have anxiety disorders indicate high severity in their problems. This suggests that in every ten people walking in the streets of America, at least two are suffering from an anxiety disorder (Robichaud et al., 2019). The problem with this disorder is that most people who have it hardly seek for help, while others do not even realize that they suffer from it. The World Health Organization ascertains that the treatment gap that exists in anxiety disorders at the international level is estimated to at least 51000 people in 20 distinct countries (Robichaud et al., 2019). This essay focuses on arguing that most people with general anxiety disorders in the United States fail to get proper care or seek help, hence the need for creating more awareness, based on the fact that:

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• People fail to seek help based on being shy and having a fear of what others will think or say
• Some people with general anxiety disorder do not realize that they need help
• Treating anxiety disorder is costly

Arguments

To start with, most individuals with general anxiety disorder fail to seek help based on the fact that they are shy and afraid of what others will think of, and say about their situation. Individuals have a perceived stigma, which is accompanied by the act of seeking medical assistance. Out of four people that suffer from an anxiety disorder, at least three have reported embarrassment and not wanting to be stereotyped with hopelessness, shame, and blame (Robichaud et al. 2019). Studies indicate that at least 46 to 62 percent of Americans prefer distancing themselves from people with depression, and people with mental illnesses are discriminated against (Robichaud et al., 2019). Despite that, the national representatives suggest that there is enough support for people with anxiety disorders, the public appears less willing to utilize formal services, especially when they anticipate a mental health problem. People with general anxiety disorder are afraid of experiencing lower self-esteem, limited opportunities, lower help-seeking behavior, concealment symptoms, and shame.

Secondly, some people with general anxiety disorder fail to realize that they need help. A small number of people, at least 40 percent of people with generalized anxiety disorder, recognize a need for treating their anxiety and depression (Cheng et al., 2018). A combination of anxiety disorder, depression, and stress increase the issue to 26 percent, leaving just a few ordinary people without the need for treatment (Cheng et al., 2018). Most people feel that it is normal to have anxiety feelings at some point in life and to feel anxious about a job, an exam, and an interview are entirely everyday encounters. However, some individuals in America do not realize that inability to control worries, and the constant feeling of anxiety is a cause for alarm, since these an impact daily life activities adversely. I would argue that based on articles I have read, a person needs to seek therapy if they encounter frequent instances of anxiety. It is easy to identify adverse anxiety since most anxious individuals have a vague memory of the last time they felt relaxed. As soon as they solve one anxious situation, another one appears.

The final problem I would love to talk about is that the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder is costly. One of the most cited barriers to the treatment of anxiety disorder is the cost of it. At least 70 percent of community-based surveys showcase that individuals in America who are affected by anxiety are worried about the expenses (Baldwin, Stein & Hermann, 2018). Based on economic analyses, the utilization of general anxiety disorder services is sensitive to price, with the use increasing with better insurance coverage. Due to the rise in co-payments of anxiety disorder therapy services, health services have become associated with lower access. Yet, the demand for mental health services is more responsive to price than it is for other forms of health services-one of the most significant determinants of access to health services in possession of health insurance. About 17 percent of Americans, including those in ethnic minority groups, are uninsured, and yet the rates of seeking medical help are higher in these racial groups (Baldwin et al., 2018). While a few studies have evidenced the relationship between cost and treatment of general anxiety disorder, most researchers believe that cost plays a vital role in the treatment of anxiety disorders.

Based on the problems of seeking help by people affected by a general anxiety disorder, I would like to mention that while there lacks any clear causal line that can trace the sources of mental conditions, there are several societal aspects that contribute to anxiety, that each one of us needs to examine. Let us begin with a simple fact that most schools have increased awareness of issues that regard mental health due to increased concerns on behalf of the general public, the school, and some institutions. This is a positive correlation since there is an increase in diagnoses as students become more aware of their symptoms and seek medical attention (Cheng et al. 2018). regarding interpersonal interactions, everyone needs to be careful while approaching those affected with anxiety, to ensure they don't alienate the person instantly through rejecting their self-image. Everyone deserves to be treated with kindness, primarily because anxious students in recent years are invested heavily in the norms of the social ethos of what it means to be successful. An attempt to criticize the identity of any millennial is both dangerous and ineffective. A person cannot just deal with their anxiety through other people approaching them with responses such as, "it is simple, it is all in your head, or you only need to plan your schedule well." Still, anyone who has to listen to an anxious person needs t approach the situation by lending an ear or voice of understanding concern, be a helpful mediator, and should recognize that their appealing responses may interfere with the personal coping techniques of this person. It is upon us, peers, educators, and governing bodies to steer the possibility of an anxiety generation that is healthy, welcoming, and accessible. Still, it begins with our everyday interactions with each other and the way that we conceive what it means to judge or to peer or to coach.

Conclusion

As a person who has struggled with anxiety, I am confident that this discussion is both positive and helpful and that many people with a start taking responsibility for their treatment.

Anxiety disorder affects almost all teenagers across the globe, and most times, men and women struggle with disorders like depression, attention deficit hyperactive disorder, and eating disorders. Also, I hope that each one of you will take that extra step in including those with anxiety in your activities and offering empathy, compassion, and understanding. A common theme has to be established where people will authentically embrace distinctions in life experiences and associations that do not attempt to absolve others of their anxieties, or, worse of all, pity them, but rather, cultivate a healthy sense of self-worth in all that are affected. Anxiety is something that we need to keep in mind and look out for. Every citizen should revolutionize the disrespect received by people with mental disorders.

References

Baldwin, D., Stein, M. B., & Hermann, R. (2018). Generalized anxiety disorder in adults: Epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, course, assessment, and diagnosis. Waltham, MA

Cheng, H. L., Wang, C., McDermott, R. C., Kridel, M., & Rislin, J. L. (2018). Selfstigma, mental health literacy, and attitudes toward seeking psychological help. Journal of Counseling & Development, 96(1), 64-74, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jcad.12178

Robichaud, M., Koerner, N., & Dugas, M. J. (2019). Cognitive behavioral treatment for generalized anxiety disorder: From science to practice. Routledge, https://www.amazon.com/Cognitive-Behavioral-Treatment-Generalized-Anxiety-Disorder/dp/0415952115