Last week, News at Noon reported on Connecticut being one of the least-stressed states. More on the Nutmeg State and anxiety in a minute, but here we shine a spotlight on New York, which a new study says is one of the least anxious states in the union.
Medical marijuana card experts at Leafwell have analyzed Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data on the percentage of adults over the age of 18 in the U.S. who report suffering from anxiety disorder symptoms of persistent, excessive feelings of fear and unease, with such potential physical side effects as fatigue or difficulty concentrating. According to the CDC, the age groups that suffer the most from anxiety are those between 18 and 29, with 41.9%, and those between 30 and 39, with 34.5%.
Leafwell ranked each state from highest to lowest percentage as of last October’s data. Nationally, the percentage of adults reporting that they suffer from symptoms of anxiety disorder is 28.7%. Just over half of the states in the U.S. report less than this percentage.
New York is second on the list of least anxious states, behind Hawaii, with 23% of the population reporting anxiety disorder symptoms. This is a drop of 6.3% from the start of 2023, when 29.3% reported symptoms. However, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reported that more than four million people in the state live in communities where there are not enough mental health professionals.
Connecticut ranks fifth, behind Vermont and Minnesota, with 24.5% reporting symptoms of anxiety disorder in the state. This is down by 2.9% from January 2023. However, 32% of adults did not receive mental health care due to cost.
Rounding out the top 10 in order are South Dakota, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Iowa and Idaho.
A spokesperson for Leafwell said: “Mental health issues such as depression and anxiety can have many triggers. General health, lifestyle and employment are some of the most common triggers, and there are many treatment options available like therapy and antidepressant medication. The use of CBD, including food and drink, is allowed in some states.
“There are many types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder and social anxiety disorder. These vary in how common they are in the population, with younger people being more susceptible to symptoms of social anxiety or generalized anxiety disorders.
“Risk factors such as stressful situations and a family history of anxiety or mental disorders can contribute to developing anxiety disorders. Treatment includes psychotherapy, in which specific anxieties are talked through, and cognitive behavioral therapy or acceptance and commitment therapy. These all have varying degrees of success depending on the type of anxiety disorder being treated. Self-treatment in the form of mindfulness exercises can also help to reduce anxiety symptoms.
“There are many ways to alleviate feelings of anxiety from lifestyle changes to dietary changes. One way to tackle and reduce feelings of anxiety is by using legal cannabis….Combining this with a consistent sleep pattern, healthy diet, journaling and other lifestyle changes can prevent those anxious feelings from arising and reduce them if you’re experiencing them.”
Leafwell, which specializes in medical marijuana cards, noted that anxiety is a qualifying condition for a medical cannabis card in California, Delaware, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico and Washington D.C., with states such as Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maine, New York and Oklahoma having clauses that enable access for people for whom cannabis may help, as determined by a health-care provider. Anxiety may be considered a qualifying condition by a provider, and therefore patients may qualify for a medical card.
