David Baxter PhD
Late Founder
25% of Koreans Suffer From Anxiety
May 14, 2006
By Chung Ah-young, Korean Times
One out of four, or 25 percent of Koreans suffer from anxiety mainly due to heath concerns and financial problems, according to survey results released last Friday.
The Anxiety Disorder Association of Korea (ADAK) surveyed 1,000 women and men aged 20-69 by phone in March, using 21 questions to help measure anxiety levels and people??s methods to meet it. The association presented the results during a seminar last Friday.
Twenty-five percent of respondents said they generally live with anxiety, while six percent said it is serious enough for it to cause troubles in their daily lives.
According to the survey, 39 percent of respondents said health is the main culprit for their anxiety, followed by financial difficulties (36 percent) and conflicts in human relations (32 percent).
About 49 percent suffered digestion disorders resulting from unrest, 44 percent suffer dizziness or vertigo while 41 percent said they have a fast, throbbing heart.
Thirty-nine percent said they just endure anxiety, while 36 percent said they rely on unhealthy habits such as drinking alcohol or coffee, and/or smoking to relieve their anxiety.
Some 32 percent indicated they seek counseling from people close to them.
"In this rapidly changing modern society, there are many factors triggering social anxieties due to a growing number of social accidents. Under this situation, anxiety or uneasiness might be prevalent among people," Jung Sang-keun, a psychology professor at Chonbuk National University Hospital, said. And he explained that Asians tend to seek help from others related to their anger or anxiety.
According to Jung, it is desirable for those who suffer anxiety to have positive ways of thinking, regular exercise and seek consultation from close friends or family, instead of relying on drinking or smoking.
Of the respondents suffering severe anxiety, only 19 percent said they are getting treatment while about 27 percent said they are considering clinical treatment.
May 14, 2006
By Chung Ah-young, Korean Times
One out of four, or 25 percent of Koreans suffer from anxiety mainly due to heath concerns and financial problems, according to survey results released last Friday.
The Anxiety Disorder Association of Korea (ADAK) surveyed 1,000 women and men aged 20-69 by phone in March, using 21 questions to help measure anxiety levels and people??s methods to meet it. The association presented the results during a seminar last Friday.
Twenty-five percent of respondents said they generally live with anxiety, while six percent said it is serious enough for it to cause troubles in their daily lives.
According to the survey, 39 percent of respondents said health is the main culprit for their anxiety, followed by financial difficulties (36 percent) and conflicts in human relations (32 percent).
About 49 percent suffered digestion disorders resulting from unrest, 44 percent suffer dizziness or vertigo while 41 percent said they have a fast, throbbing heart.
Thirty-nine percent said they just endure anxiety, while 36 percent said they rely on unhealthy habits such as drinking alcohol or coffee, and/or smoking to relieve their anxiety.
Some 32 percent indicated they seek counseling from people close to them.
"In this rapidly changing modern society, there are many factors triggering social anxieties due to a growing number of social accidents. Under this situation, anxiety or uneasiness might be prevalent among people," Jung Sang-keun, a psychology professor at Chonbuk National University Hospital, said. And he explained that Asians tend to seek help from others related to their anger or anxiety.
According to Jung, it is desirable for those who suffer anxiety to have positive ways of thinking, regular exercise and seek consultation from close friends or family, instead of relying on drinking or smoking.
Of the respondents suffering severe anxiety, only 19 percent said they are getting treatment while about 27 percent said they are considering clinical treatment.
