Living Well

BY ROB SAINT LAURENT, M.ED

AMERICANS ARE FALTERING UNDER THE WEIGHT OF STRESS

As the US stock market remains divorced from economic reality, many experts in the blogosphere are warning that the largest debt bubble in history is starting to implode. Americans’ view of the economy reflects as much, with a 2023 public opinion survey showing 40 percent of nearly 1,500 US adults viewing our economic state as “poor,” and another 29 percent as “fair.”1

But some pundits say it’s more of an “everything bubble” that has them worried, which they see as including the very social fabric of the nation. They point to deepening cultural divides, rampant theft and rising violence in many US cities, an increase in drug use and homelessness, low surety of belief in God, and numerous other factors. That shows in our well-being, as more Americans report being unhappy and lonely than in the past 50 years.

More Are Addicted

Americans report feeling beset by stress and this increased tension and anxiety can make us more vulnerable to unhealthy behaviors and addiction.

In February 2023, Salt Lake City-based Myriad Genetics conducted a national survey of 1,000 US adults, called the GeneSight ® Mental Health Monitor. The study found that an estimated 77 percent of Americans confess to dealing with stress and mental health difficulties by engaging in at least one behavior and/or coping mechanism many of us know are addictive or unhealthy, yet still do anyway. Nearly all of us (94 percent) agree that we often mask mental health issues with addictions to substances or behaviors, yet many of us still admit to using or doing them ourselves. 2, 3

In chart 1 on the next page, the first column in each behavioral category represents the percentage of respondents (rounded to the nearest tenth) who viewed the substance or behavior in question as addictive or unhealthy. The second column is the percentage of respondents who admitted to personal use.

Anxiety And Depression On The Rise

The survey also found that anxiety and depression rates rose significantly in just one year. Between spring of 2022 and spring of 2023, anxiety diagnoses increased by 19 percent and depression by 29 percent, with rates of people “who may be suffering” rising even more substantially at 27 percent and 45 percent, respectively.

Among respondents dissatisfied with their mental state, chart 2 reveals the top underlying factors.

WHAT’S DRIVING UNHEALTHY CHOICES?

In the survey, 77 percent of people diagnosed with anxiety and/or depression viewed drinking alcohol by themselves as a bad way to cope that could become addictive, yet 41 percent said they do it themselves to get by. Worse, 25 percent admitted to drinking heavily and worried they had a problem.

At Indiana Center for Recovery, Dawn Johnson, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, has seen these struggles in her own patients. In an interview with Myriad Genetics, she said, “Many of my patients have struggled with depression and/or anxiety but failed to find a treatment that made them feel better. So, they resorted to alcohol, drugs or destructive behaviors to sooth themselves, as these offered short-term relief. However, this behavior resulted in worsening mental health and destruction of their lives. I’ve seen it personally.” Johnson’s own husband succumbed to his mental health issues and addictions, which motivated her to want to help others.2

A full two-thirds of respondents diagnosed with anxiety and/ or depression have had to search for a medication that works through trial and error. Yet, 45 percent of these individuals failed in their quest and resorted to unhealthy coping in the form of too much or too little sleep (70 percent), social withdrawal (64 percent), binge watching (49 percent), skipping responsibilities (48 percent).

These factors had far-reaching negative implications for daily life, affecting everything from self-esteem and social engagement to being the best friend, spouse, and worker people wanted to be. They especially hit hard for people feeling anxious and/or depressed.

In addition to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues, people tend to be more prone to self-destructive behavior if, for example, they’ve previously used addictive substances, were neglected as a child, suffered physical or emotional abuse, have low self-esteem, and being socially isolated or excluded.4

We also know that health behavior is influenced by factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, age, where one lives, sexual orientation, income, and education, can influence stress and health behiavor.5

Research shows that people who engage in one unhealthy behavior may be more likely to engage in another.6

Healthier Coping Strategies

Addiction is a vicious cycle, as it can make us more anxious and stressed, causing us to reinforce our unhealthy behavior. Explained Morgan Freas, Pharm.D., Myriad Genetics’ senior medical science liaison, “Mental health and addiction often go hand-in-hand. Yet the stigma associated with admitting mental health challenges is often greater than escaping into substance or behavioral abuse.”2

Still, the survey revealed that 58 percent of respondents diagnosed with anxiety and/or depression reported success with mental health therapy in helping with their addictions.

To better help mental health patients benefit from medication, Johnson uses Myriad Genetics’ novel GeneSight test that allows clinicians to prescribe a custom medication program based on individual genetic makeup. In this way, gene-drug interactions in the form of improper metabolism, no symptom relief, or terrible side effects can be averted.

Additionally, Mayo Clinic explains how it’s important to build resilience in tough times, allowing us to adapt to adversity and keep functioning healthfully. Instead of dwelling on problems, feeling victimized or overwhelmed, or turning to unhealthy coping behaviors, we’re able to keep going. Resilience can help protect us from anxiety, depression, and other mental health struggles; help us to better cope with existing psychological struggles and help to offset those factors that can harm mental health.7

To build resilience, Mayo Clinic suggests building and strengthening social relationships, as through volunteering or a joining faith-based group; giving each day meaning, doing something daily that provides a sense of accomplishment, with clear goals for the future; learning from past hardships and reflecting on how you coped; practicing healthy lifestyle habits; and staying hopeful. No situation in this life is permanent.

We can also practice time-honored human traits such as compassion, kindness, gratitude, and forgiveness to help foster happiness and promote healing in our own selves, overcoming fear and self-doubt and boosting self-esteem.

States Mayo Clinic, “When you have resilience, you harness the inner strength that helps you rebound from a setback or challenge, such as a job loss, an illness, a disaster, or a loved one’s death. Resilience won’t make your problems go away— but resilience can give you the ability to see past them, find enjoyment in life and better handle stress.”

An invaluable skill for troubling times. H

1. Statista Research Department. (2023, March 29). US adults’ view on the current state of the economy 2023.

2. Myriad Genetics. (2023, April 19). 77% of Americans have used addictive behaviors or unhealthy coping mechanisms to manage their mental health, according to Myriad Genetics nationwide survey [Press release].

3. Steinberg, B. (2023, April 19). Most Americans turn to addictive behaviors during crisis: survey. New York Post.

4. Pietrangelo, A. (2020, July 20). Understanding Self-Destructive Behavior. Healthline.

5. American Hospital Association. (2020, February). Social Determinants of Health Series: Promoting Healthy Behaviors.

6. Carlson, E. B., McDade-Montez, E., Armstrong, J. et al. (2013). Development and Initial Validation of the Structured Interview for Self-Destructive Behaviors. Journal of Trauma Dissociation, 14(3), 312-327.

7. Mayo Clinic. (2022, July 14). Resilience: Build skills to endure hardship.