Most Americans turn to addictive behaviors during crisis: survey

mental health

To Brooke Steinberg

April 19, 2023 | 12:43 PM

An estimated 77% of Americans engage in habitual behaviors to deal with mental health problems, despite efforts to find effective clinical therapies.

of GeneSight Mental Health Monitor StudyA study conducted by Myriad Genetics in Salt Lake City, Utah, found several drugs used to combat anxiety and depression, including alcohol use, drug use, gambling, food consumption, media bingeing, oversleeping, and excessive exercise. of potentially risky behaviors were counted. and party.

In particular, even those who have actively sought mental health care are turning to the aforementioned habits to deal with the consequences of medication failures and other ineffective treatments.

Nearly everyone surveyed (94%) agrees that these addictions may mask underlying mental health issues.

“Many of my patients suffer from depression and anxiety, but have been unable to find treatments that make them feel better. Or resorted to destructive actions, as these offered short-term relief. said in a news release.

“However, this behavior resulted in worsening mental health and destroying their lives.”

Two-thirds of study participants with anxiety and depression go through a trial-and-error process to find the right medication for them. Unfortunately, 45% of drug-failed patients admitted to resorting to the aforementioned unhealthy behaviors to manage their illness.

For example, 77% of respondents diagnosed with depression or anxiety found drinking alcohol alone to be an addictive and unhealthy coping, despite the fact that 41% continued with unhealthy habits. Agreed to be action. They may have a problem.

Other respondents diagnosed with depression and anxiety sleep too much or too little (70%), withdraw from social activities (64%), binge on TV and movies (49%), They confessed to skipping work, school, or household responsibilities (48%). ) deal with psychological stress.

More than half (58%) of those with depression or anxiety who were told they had a problem believed that appropriate mental health treatment helped reduce their concerns about addiction.

At the Indiana Center for Recovery, Johnson uses genetic testing to determine how patients respond to different medications prescribed for mental health conditions. For example, the drug cannot be metabolized properly, symptoms are not relieved, or unwanted side effects occur.

“The Genesite report reassures them that we’re not just throwing drugs around, we’re actually customizing plans based on their genetic makeup,” she explained.

“Mental health and addiction often go hand in hand,” says Morgan Freas, senior medical liaison at Myriad Genetics. “But the stigma associated with acknowledging mental health problems is often greater than fleeing into substance or behavioral abuse.”