ALERT: Worry is Out of Control

by Richard C. Raynard, Ph.D.

In a Gallop Poll compiled almost 20 years ago, Americans felt clearly that their emotional health was more out of control than their physical well-being. Three emotional health concerns were clearly identified as the source of more dissatisfaction than any others, making up 75 to 80% of those polled. It was found that we want most of all to 1) have fewer worries; 2) do everything one needs to without undue stress; and 3) have more time for leisure and recreation, as well as for work.

Surprisingly, most Americans now see emotional health as a major part of overall health and fitness. Of the top 10 health concerns, three were clearly emotional: having someone to love, a positive outlook on life, and friends and family who are there when needed. Five of these top 10 concerns were about habits that lead to disease or physical illness, i.e., smoking, unclean environment, avoiding excesses, poor diet and exercise.

Interestingly, the loss of leisure time is not imaginary, as Louis Harris polls have shown. Leisure time slipped from 26.2 hours a week in 1973 to 16.66 in 1987. At the same time, our work hours rose from an average 40.6 hours to 46.8. Are Americans shoring up their economic life at the expenses of their emotional health?

Supporting the Gallop Poll is a survey I completed in my own practice. Of a sample of 45 clients who came to see me, on average they worried "very often" and could not get the worries to stop. Fairly often, worry led to a "physical upset" and ruined "good times and good company".

More recent studies echo these results, with leisure time slipping even more and work hours steadily increasing. In future articles, I will address worry, how it relates to your phobia, and what can be done to reduce it.
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