Most Americans Totally Stressed Out, Study Finds

Most Americans Totally Stressed Out, Study Finds
Updated: 4 days 10 hours ago

(Nov. 10) -- Does it seem like most people are just a tad on edge lately?

According to the findings of "Stress in America," an annual survey conducted by Harris Interactive in conjunction with the American Psychological Association, three-fourths of the American population suffer from unhealthy levels of stress.

"America is at a critical crossroads when it comes to stress and our health," Norman B. Anderson, Ph.D., CEO and executive vice president of the American Psychological Association, said in the report's press release. "Year after year, nearly three-quarters of Americans say they experience stress at levels that exceed what they define as healthy, putting themselves at risk for developing chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes and depression."

One-third of all parents surveyed in the study reported extreme stress levels, and the report concluded that the children and spouses of those who experience such high stress are often adversely effected.

"It's critical that parents communicate with their children about how to identify stress triggers and manage stress in healthy ways while they're young and still developing behavioral patterns," said Katherine C. Nordal, the APA's executive director for professional practice. "If children don't learn these lessons early on, it could significantly impact their physical health and emotional well-being down the road, especially as they become adults."

Among the study's findings, 76 percent of Americans reported feeling stressed because of money, and 70 percent blamed the cause of their stress on work. The report found that the most common symptoms of stress were irritability, fatigue and a lack of energy. Two thirds of those surveyed said they overate as a result of stress, and more than four in 10 said they lay awake in bed at night because of it.

"Stress is hurting our physical and emotional health and contributing to some of the leading causes of death in this country," Anderson said. "People are also saying they have difficulty implementing the changes they know will decrease their stress and improve their health. Yet, our health care system is not adequately addressing this issue or providing the behavioral health treatments that can help Americans."

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David Knowles
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AOL News Surge Desk
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