Anxiety Levels Peak In Middle-Aged People, Nationwide Study Reveals | HuffPost Life

The 'Mid-Life Crisis' Could Be A Very Real Problem In The UK

Natasha Hinde— The Huffington Post UK

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Anxiety levels peak among people aged 40-60, new statistics show, proving there might be more to the much-referenced 'midlife crisis' than meets the eye.

A new government study of wellbeing in the UK found that, generally speaking, people are experiencing relatively high levels of life satisfaction and happiness - with those aged 16-19 and 65-79 experiencing the highest ratings.

People aged between 45 and 54, however, reported low average ratings of life satisfaction and happiness, which coincided with a sharp rise in anxiety levels.

Mental health experts and doctors have since issued advice on how to battle anxiety during this time, when divorce, bereavement and money troubles often come into play.

The Office Of National Statistics looked at personal wellbeing ratings between 2012 and 2015, and created average scores for areas including life satisfaction, happiness, worthwhile and anxiety.

It showed that between the ages of 40 and 60 years old, anxiety levels peak with people aged 50-54 suffering the most.

These levels then drop after the age of 60, coinciding with an increase in life satisfaction and happiness.

Dr Helen Webberley is the dedicated GP for Oxford Online Pharmacy. She says that anxiety issues are something she comes across more and more with middle-aged patients.

"We tend to see more cases in women and I agree, it seems to peak in the forties and fifties," she explained.

"There may be various reasons for this but the typical scenario I see is patients with the burden of one or more jobs, the demands of children and running a home, and then the added worry and stress of caring for elderly relatives.

"In the past there may have been a nanny, cook, house-keeper and maid. Now the two adults in the home have to do it all. Expectations are high from employers, children and relatives - and life is hard.

"Add to this financial concerns and the pressure mounts leading to depression and anxiety."

Rachel Boyd, information manager for mental health charity Mind, said that dealing with bereavement or divorce can also add to this.

Average personal wellbeing ratings between 2012 and 2015

So why do these feelings of anxiety then decrease after the age of 60?

Boyd said: "It is possible that from the age of 60 onwards people are more likely to retire, relieving them of the pressures of work.

"It is also likely that people may become more accepting of what they have and less demanding of themselves."

For those experiencing high and almost unbearable levels of anxiety, as opposed to feeling generally anxious about life, Boyd has some advice.

“While most people can relate to the idea of feeling tense in the lead up to a stressful event like a job interview or moving house, mental health problems like anxiety and depression, have a much bigger impact on your life and can even stop you being able to do things you used to do," she explained.

"Anxiety as a mental health problem is not the same as being ‘a bit shy’ and it’s important to seek help as soon as possible if you feel like your anxiety is interfering with your ability to do the things you normally would."

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She explained that anxiety doesn't just have an affect on the mind, but it can also affect your body too.

"Physical symptoms can include increased heart rate, muscle tension, dizziness, difficulty breathing, sweating, shaking and feeling sick," she said.

"Psychological symptoms include feeling nervous and tense, thinking about a worrying situation over and over again and feeling that other people are noticing your anxiety.

“You may experience severe or frequent panic attacks, for no apparent reason, or have a persistent, 'free-floating' sense of anxiety. You may find that you feel like running away or escape, or that you’re spending lots of time and energy working out how to avoid anxious situations.

"If you experience social anxiety you might also avoid situations that could trigger your anxiety, such as meeting up with friends, going out shopping or even answering the phone."

Boyd urges people experiencing these symptoms and feelings to speak to someone, such as a GP, or even a friend or family member.

For more information on anxiety visit mind.org.uk/anxiety or call the infoline on 0300 123 3393.

10 Things You Need To Know About Anxiety

Your Childhood Can Affect Your Anxiety As An Adult(01 of21)

A British study published this year in the American Journal of Psychiatry looked at pairs of adult twins, both fraternal and identical, to see how genetics might influence anxiety. The researchers hypothesized that a child with an identical twin for a father would have the same amount of anxiety as their father (or his twin) if the trait is only genetic— he or she would share the same amount of DNA with either of those adults. But they found that when it came to anxiety, children had more in common with their own parents than than they did with their parent’s twin, indicating that the relationship between the parents and children was an important factor in predicting future anxiety. If you’re suffering from anxiety, seeking treatment won’t just help you but it may benefit your children in the short and long term as well. (credit:Shutterstock / Oleg Golovnev)

Pets Can Help Anxious Children(02 of21)

If you have a beloved pet, you know that it’s good for your quality of life. It’s just nice to have your dog greet you when you get home from work, or your cat cuddle at your feet when you go to bed. But research shows that a pet can be helpful for your mental health too. One recent study found that pets can help lower social anxiety in children with autism, for example. Researchers at Purdue University measured reductions in stress levels for children aged five to 12 and with autism when they were exposed to companion animals including cats, dogs, and guinea pigs. (credit:Daniela BlatovÃ¡/500px)

Anxiety Can Affect Your Physical Health(03 of21)

Untreated anxiety and depression can have negative effects on your physical health as well as your mental health, which is one more reason why access to psychiatric care is so important. For example, research from the University of Edinburgh released this month found that people with anxiety or depression may have a higher risk of dying from liver disease. The connection is not yet clear and more research is needed on the biological links between liver disease and psychological distress, but the findings are considered the first to find a potential link between the two. (credit:Shutterstock / Elena Elisseeva)

And Your Environment Might Affect Your Anxiety Levels(04 of21)

Air pollution has already been linked to serious health problems like asthma and heart attacks, and one new study found that particulate air pollution could also be linked to our mental health. Researchers from Johns Hopkins University found that exposure to fine particulate matter air pollution could cause or intensify anxiety as it causes increased oxidative stress and inflammation in the body. It’s also possible that air pollution could increase anxiety by aggravating chronic health conditions. (credit:shutterstock)

Anxiety Disorders Affect Millions Of Workers(05 of21)

Research released in May found that 4.3 Americans with full-time jobs — or 3.7 per cent of adult workers--experienced an anxiety disorder over the previous year. The rate was even higher for those who didn’t have full-time employment: the rate of anxiety disorders in the past 12 months was 5.6 per cent for part-time workers, 6.9 per cent for the unemployed, and 8.9 per cent for those out of the workforce. And anxiety disorders themselves can make it hard to gain or maintain adequate employment. (credit:Getty Images)

Parents May Be Missing Anxiety In Their Children(06 of21)

Nobody knows a child better than his or her parents, but even attentive parents may be missing signs of anxiety in their kids. One study done by Yahoo Parenting and Silver Hill Hospital found that some parents are in denial that their children may be suffering from anxiety or depression. The researchers found that while almost two thirds of the parents they surveyed think their teen child is suffering from anxiety or depression, and nearly half of those teens have talked to their parents about their mental-health issues, only 18 per cent of those teens have received a diagnosis. The good news is that most parents notice their children’s struggles, and many teens feel comfortable talking to their parents about their mental health. It’s important to follow through if you suspect your own child is struggling, because quality care is available and can help. (credit:Alamy)

College Students Are Increasingly Facing Mental-Health Issues(07 of21)

A new survey from the University of California (UC) indicates that post-secondary students are increasingly dealing with mental-health issues, including anxiety disorders. The UC survey found that incoming college students in 2014 had the lowest self-rated emotional health in the nearly 50 years of the survey’s history. Their worries include anxiety about their ability to find gainful employment after graduation, years in the future. (credit:Frank Gaglione)

Bullying Can Cause Anxiety Into Adulthood(08 of21)

It’s no surprise that bullying can cause anxiety in children who experience it, but new findings indicate that it can affect mental health even into adulthood.The study also notes the effect is stronger for children who are bullied by peers. A study published this year in Lancet Psychiatry found that children bullied by their peers are at a higher risk for the development of mental-health problems in early adulthood when compared to those who are bullied or emotionally abused by an adult. The findings make it clear that bullying is a serious issue that can have long-term health effects, even when it’s among children.

There May Be A Link Between Anxiety And Domestic Violence(09 of21)

Research done in the U.K. and published this year in BMJ Open found that men who self-reported abusive behaviours towards their romantic partners were three to five times more likely to report symptoms of anxiety than non-perpetrators. The findings are consistent with past research that has found that men who either have experienced or perpetrated domestic abuse are more likely to experience mental-health issues like anxiety. Studies like these show that doctors treating men for anxiety disorders would be wise to ask about domestic abuse, the researchers said. (credit:Hibr/Flickr)

Anxiety Is Bad For Your Dental Health(10 of21)

Bruxism — more commonly known as tooth grinding — can lead to a host of dental issues, including headaches, jaw pain, loss of tooth enamel, tooth decay, and even tooth loss. And people suffering from social anxiety often experience bruxism, even if the bouts of anxiety are short term. More than 40 per cent of the study participants with a diagnosed social phobia showed moderate to severe dental wear, compared to just over one quarter of the subject without a phobia. And 43 per cent of the group with social anxiety reported experiencing bruxism while awake, compared to only three per cent of those in the control group. People who grind their teeth while awake are sometimes unaware they’re doing it at all, since it tends to be quieter than bruxism that occurs during sleep. (credit:Getty Images)

(11 of21)

Trouble Sleeping(12 of21)

Are you sleeping six or eight hours? Or are you tossing and turning every night with worry? If your sleep is accompanied by respiratory problems like snoring, difficulty breathing, muscle weakness or daytime sleepiness, talk to your doctor about anxiety, says Dr. Prakash Masand, a psychiatrist and president of Global Medical Education based in New York City. (credit:LWA via Getty Images)

Stressed Out (13 of21)

If you're constantly feeling stressed out about your work life, family life or personal life, it may be a symptom of anxiety. Experts say if your stress is long-term, it could leave you more vulnerable to anxiety and depression. (credit:Jetta Productions via Getty Images)

Burned Out (14 of21)

Not only are you stressed out, but your body also feels like it is burning out and shutting down. Masand says if you feel overworked and it is continuously getting in the way of your day-to-day functioning, it could be anxiety. (credit:Sam Edwards via Getty Images)

Scared, Worried Or Frightened (15 of21)

If you're constantly and unexpectedly worried, scared or frightened by something with an uncertain result, it could be a sign of anxiety, Masand says. Worrying can be reduced by observing your thoughts and feelings and learning how to take control and accept your current situation — as opposed to being fearful of it, according to PsychCentral. (credit:Martin Barraud via Getty Images)

Stomach Knots (16 of21)

If you experience stomach knots or upset stomachs that are sudden, it could be another symptom of anxiety. Masand says if your stomach difficulties are also followed by diarrhea, severe constipation, nausea or vomiting, speak to your doctor to rule out other medical conditions. (credit:Piotr Marcinski via Getty Images)

Chest Tightness (17 of21)

Masand says you should also be mindful of chest tightening and other symptoms related to breathing and your heart. This may include shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, pressure or fullness in the centre of the chest and/or a radiating chest, arms or back pain. If you have these associated symptoms, you need to seek emergency care immediately. (credit:laflor via Getty Images)

Headaches (18 of21)

You may get a headache from time to time depending on your workflow or sleep routine, but Masand says if your headaches are common and also include weakness, dizziness or loss of sensation, talk to your doctor about getting diagnosed. (credit:Colin Hawkins via Getty Images)

Palpitations(19 of21)

Along with chest tightness, palpitations and irregular heartbeats are also common signs of anxiety. For some, palpitations can be common — you may feel a sensation of fluttering, throbbing, flip-flopping, or pounding in your heart, according to Harvard's Family Health Guide. (credit:Peter Dazeley via Getty Images)

Panic Disorder (20 of21)

Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder where people experience unexpected and repeated panic attacks from time to time, according to Anxiety BC. Masand says this psychological symptom can also include being worried, scared or irritable. (credit:Compassionate Eye Foundation/David Oxberry/OJO Images Ltd via Getty Images)

Shaky (21 of21)

Besides blurred vision, if your sight is shaky and you have a hard time keeping your train of thought together, Masand says it may be a sign of anxiety. You may feel shakiness in your arms, legs, fingers, toes or your whole body at once. (credit:StefanieDegner via Getty Images)

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