How Stigma Prevents Patients From Getting Treated for Anxiety Disorders

Sirosh Masuood, MD

November 14, 2022

Sirosh Masuood, MD, reflects on the ways that treatment for anxiety disorders can be delayed because of several factors that contribute to health disparities, including lack of insurance, awareness, cultural beliefs, and stigma. Despite anxiety disorders being the most prevalent class of mental disorders, a large amount of stigma still surrounds being diagnosed with a mental illness, possibly making patients hesitate to seek a proper diagnosis.

Masuood discusses how a patient with an undiagnosed or untreated anxiety disorder will often seek medical help for symptoms of anxiety that they mistake for cardiac concerns. She explains on how this can lead to additional appointments, further stress on the patient, and a significant delay in getting the treatment and diagnosis they actually need.

Any views expressed above are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of WebMD or Medscape.

Cite this: How Stigma Prevents Patients From Getting Treated for Anxiety Disorders - Medscape - Nov 14, 2022.

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