Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAnxiety and OsteoporosisComplicationsDiagnosisTreatmentHow to Cope
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Anxiety and Osteoporosis
Complications
Diagnosis
Treatment
How to Cope
Thoughanxietyand osteoporosis are two different diseases, having both conditions is common. This article reviews each disease, how they impact each other, complications, diagnosis, treatment, and coping.
AsiaVision / Getty Images
The Prevalence of Anxiety and OsteoporosisApproximately 31% of U.S. adults have anxiety symptoms.About 10 million people over the age of 50 have osteoporosis in the United States.Worldwide, one fracture from osteoporosis occurs every three seconds.Osteoporotic fractures are three times more likely in those assigned female at birth than those assigned male.
The Prevalence of Anxiety and Osteoporosis
Approximately 31% of U.S. adults have anxiety symptoms.About 10 million people over the age of 50 have osteoporosis in the United States.Worldwide, one fracture from osteoporosis occurs every three seconds.Osteoporotic fractures are three times more likely in those assigned female at birth than those assigned male.
The Connection Between Anxiety and Osteoporosis
The connection between anxiety and osteoporosis may seem unlikely, but they affect each other. The following is an overview of each disease and the relationship between the two.
Anxiety
Anxiety disorder (AD)occurs when this stress reaction lingers or is out of proportion. AD is one of the most prevalent mental disorders and is frequently linked to depression, phobias, and panic attacks.
Panic Attack SymptomsMany of those with anxiety also have panic attacks, which can cause:A racing heartSweatingShakingChest painOut-of-control feelingsAn impending sense of doom
Panic Attack Symptoms
Many of those with anxiety also have panic attacks, which can cause:A racing heartSweatingShakingChest painOut-of-control feelingsAn impending sense of doom
Many of those with anxiety also have panic attacks, which can cause:
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosiscauses bone thinning and deterioration. Bones have a honeycomb-type structure that allows bones to be strong yet lightweight. Osteoporosis decreases bone mass, leaving larger structural gaps and making bones more fragile.
Symptoms of osteoporosis include:
Though this is not a complete list, risk factors for osteoporosis include the following:
How Anxiety Affects Osteoporosis
Chronic anxiety produces long-term physical, emotional, and behavioral changes. It can worsen chronic health conditions and disrupt the endocrine, nervous, and immune systems, leading to poor bone health.
How Osteoporosis Affects Anxiety
Osteoporosis causes physical limitations. This may force someone to make unwanted lifestyle changes and can cause anxiety due to:
Complications of Anxiety and Osteoporosis
Complications of anxiety involve depression, substance abuse, insomnia, and isolation. Osteoporosis can lead to fractures and increased difficulty in healing from fractures.
Shared Risk Factors
Anxiety and osteoporosis share risk factors that increase the risk of complications, including:
Feelings of hopelessness, fear, and uncertainty are common effects of anxiety and osteoporosis. These feelings can cause a person to avoid following their treatment for either condition.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
When anxiety is excessive or ongoing, talking with your healthcare provider is best. This is especially true when it keeps you from your normal activities or causes work, school, physical health, and relationship problems.
How to Seek Help In a CrisisIf you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one is in immediate danger, call 911.
How to Seek Help In a Crisis
If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one is in immediate danger, call 911.
Diagnosis of Anxiety and Osteoporosis
Mental health providers typically treat severe anxiety, but all healthcare providers may detect and manage anxiety.The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)helps providers diagnose mental disorders.
Anxiety is diagnosed based on the duration and severity of symptoms, such as:
Healthcare providers usebone density teststo screen for and diagnose osteoporosis. This non-invasive, painless test uses a low dose of radiation to determine bone density and measure the amount of calcium and minerals in your bones.
9 Early Warning Signs of Osteoporosis
Self-Test for Anxiety
Mental Health America (MHA) offers anonline anxiety self-testbased on theGAD-7 anxiety screeningquestionnaire from the American Psychiatric Association (APA).
If your screening results indicate anxiety, reach out to a healthcare provider. A healthcare professional can make an accurate diagnosis.
Treatment of Anxiety and Osteoporosis
Anxiety treatment involves lifestyle modifications, medications, and psychotherapy (talk therapy). Osteoporosis treatment includes lifestyle changes, medications, and supplements.
Medications
Though this is not an exhaustive list, examples of common medications that treat anxiety include:
Notify Your Healthcare Provider Before Stopping Anti-Anxiety MedicationsAbruptly stopping anxiety medications could cause withdrawal symptoms. It’s essential to notify your healthcare provider before you stop taking them.
Notify Your Healthcare Provider Before Stopping Anti-Anxiety Medications
Abruptly stopping anxiety medications could cause withdrawal symptoms. It’s essential to notify your healthcare provider before you stop taking them.
Study: There’s No Perfect Way to Wean Yourself off of Antidepressants
Osteoporosis treatmentbegins with lifestyle changes and supplements, such as calcium, vitamin D, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids. Post-menopausal women may receive hormone (estrogen) therapy to decrease osteoporosis risk. It may also involve the following medications:
Many anxiety and osteoporosis medications can be taken together safely. This includes Prozac (fluoxetine) and Fosamax (alendronate), two of the most commonly prescribed medications for each. However, some anti-anxiety medications can increase the risk of falls and osteoporotic fractures.
Osteoporosis medications, such as Fosamax (alendronate) and Actonel (risedronate), could increase the risk for depression and anxiety.This does not mean your healthcare provider won’t prescribe these medications. But they may want to monitor you for unwanted side effects and interactions.
What to Do When You Experience Unwanted Medication Side EffectsIf you experience adverse medication effects, notify your healthcare provider immediately. They may suggest adjusting your treatment. For example, if you experience anxiety with Fosamax (alendronate), they may switch you to Reclast (zoledronate) or Prolia (denosumab), which are less likely to cause anxiety.There are multiple options, and sometimes it takes a couple of tries to find the right combination.
What to Do When You Experience Unwanted Medication Side Effects
If you experience adverse medication effects, notify your healthcare provider immediately. They may suggest adjusting your treatment. For example, if you experience anxiety with Fosamax (alendronate), they may switch you to Reclast (zoledronate) or Prolia (denosumab), which are less likely to cause anxiety.There are multiple options, and sometimes it takes a couple of tries to find the right combination.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy helps treat mental health disorders or disease-related stress. Types of therapy include:
Types of Mental Health Therapy
Coping With Anxiety and Osteoporosis
Treating anxiety and osteoporosis requires professional help. However, there are lifestyle changes you can adpot during treatment to help with anxiety symptoms, bone health, and your overall health.
Lifestyle Changes
Healthy lifestyle changes that may increase your sense of well-being and bone health include:
If you have osteoporosis, preventing falls is also very important. Though this is not an exhaustive list, here are some fall prevention tips:
Support Groups
Support groupsare beneficial because you can interact with those in similar situations. Ask your healthcare provider about local groups or explore one of the following online mental health support groups:
What Is Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?
Online osteoporosis support groups include:
Osteoporosis: Prognosis, Complications, and Treatment
Summary
Anxiety is normal for short, brief periods. It becomes concerning when these symptoms linger or are out of proportion. Osteoporosis is a bone disease that thins your bones and increases the risk of fractures.
Anxiety and osteoporosis share risk factors and have an impact on each other. Those with anxiety and depression are more susceptible to osteoporosis, and those with osteoporosis often experience anxiety.
Treatment for each disease is multifaceted and includes a combination of lifestyle changes, medications, supplements, and psychotherapy. Exercise, proper nutrition, and getting more fresh air are lifestyle changes that can decrease anxiety and increase bone health.
A Word From Verywell
Anxiety disorders (ADs) and osteoporosis are not normal parts of aging. If you are coping with either, it’s best to seek treatment from a healthcare provider while incorporating lifestyle changes that are within your control.
21 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics.Anxiety and depression: household pulse survey.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Osteoporosis workgroup.Ng JS, Chin KY.Potential mechanisms linking psychological stress to bone health.Int J Med Sci.2021;18(3):604-614. doi:10.7150/ijms.50680Kelly RR, McDonald LT, Jensen NR, et al.Impacts of psychological stress on osteoporosis: clinical implications and treatment interactions.Frontiers in Psychiatry. 2018;10(200). doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00200MedlinePlus.Stress.National Institute of Mental Health.Panic disorder: when fear overwhelms.Hong-Jhe C, Chin-Yuan K, Ming-Shium, T et al.The incidence and risk of osteoporosis in patients with anxiety disorder: a population-based retrospective cohort study.Medicine. 2016:95(38):e4912. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000004912Bandelow B, Michaelis S, Wedekind D.Treatment of anxiety disorders.Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience. 2017:19(2):93-107. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2017.19.2/bbandelowAmerican Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5-TR).National Institute of Mental Health.Anxiety disorders.Wilmer MT, Anderson K, Reynolds M.Correlates of quality of life in anxiety disorders: review of recent research.Curr Psychiatry Rep.2021;23(77). doi:10.1007/s11920-021-01290-4Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Impact of the DSM-IV to DSM-5 changes on the national survey on drug use and health. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 2016: Table 3.15, DSM-IV to DSM-5 generalized anxiety disorder comparison.MedlinePlus.Bone density scan.American Psychiatric Association.GAD-7 patient questionnaire for anxiety.Mental Health America.Anxiety test.Sözen T, Özışık L, Başaran NÇ.An overview and management of osteoporosis.Eur J Rheumatol. 2017;4(1):46–56. doi:10.5152/eurjrheum.2016.048Medline Plus.Raloxifene.Bolton JM, Morin SN, Majumdar SR, et al.Association of mental disorders and related medication use with risk for major osteoporotic fractures.JAMA Psychiatry.2017;74(6):641–648. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2017.0449Keshishi D, Makunts T, Abagyan R.Common osteoporosis drug associated with increased rates of depression and anxiety.Sci Rep.2021;11(23956). doi:10.1038/s41598-021-03214-xSarris J, O’Neil A, Coulson CE, et al.Lifestyle medicine for depression.BMC Psychiatry.2014;14(107). doi:10.1186/1471-244X-14-107Velten J, Bieda A, Scholten S et al.Lifestyle choices and mental health: a longitudinal survey with German and Chinese students.BMC Public Health. 2018:18(632). doi:10.1186/s12889-018-5526-2Additional ReadingHong-Jhe C, Chin-Yuan K, Ming-Shium, T et al.The incidence and risk of osteoporosis in patients with anxiety disorder: A Population-based retrospective cohort study.Medicine. 2016:95(38):e4912. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000004912Kelly RR., McDonald LT, Jensen NR, Sidles S J, LaRue A C.Impacts of psychological stress on osteoporosis: Clinical implications and treatment interactions.Frontiers in Psychiatry. 2018;10(200). doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00200Ng JS, Chin KY.Potential mechanisms linking psychological stress to bone health.Int J Med Sci.2021;18(3):604-614. doi:10.7150/ijms.50680
21 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics.Anxiety and depression: household pulse survey.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Osteoporosis workgroup.Ng JS, Chin KY.Potential mechanisms linking psychological stress to bone health.Int J Med Sci.2021;18(3):604-614. doi:10.7150/ijms.50680Kelly RR, McDonald LT, Jensen NR, et al.Impacts of psychological stress on osteoporosis: clinical implications and treatment interactions.Frontiers in Psychiatry. 2018;10(200). doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00200MedlinePlus.Stress.National Institute of Mental Health.Panic disorder: when fear overwhelms.Hong-Jhe C, Chin-Yuan K, Ming-Shium, T et al.The incidence and risk of osteoporosis in patients with anxiety disorder: a population-based retrospective cohort study.Medicine. 2016:95(38):e4912. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000004912Bandelow B, Michaelis S, Wedekind D.Treatment of anxiety disorders.Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience. 2017:19(2):93-107. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2017.19.2/bbandelowAmerican Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5-TR).National Institute of Mental Health.Anxiety disorders.Wilmer MT, Anderson K, Reynolds M.Correlates of quality of life in anxiety disorders: review of recent research.Curr Psychiatry Rep.2021;23(77). doi:10.1007/s11920-021-01290-4Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Impact of the DSM-IV to DSM-5 changes on the national survey on drug use and health. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 2016: Table 3.15, DSM-IV to DSM-5 generalized anxiety disorder comparison.MedlinePlus.Bone density scan.American Psychiatric Association.GAD-7 patient questionnaire for anxiety.Mental Health America.Anxiety test.Sözen T, Özışık L, Başaran NÇ.An overview and management of osteoporosis.Eur J Rheumatol. 2017;4(1):46–56. doi:10.5152/eurjrheum.2016.048Medline Plus.Raloxifene.Bolton JM, Morin SN, Majumdar SR, et al.Association of mental disorders and related medication use with risk for major osteoporotic fractures.JAMA Psychiatry.2017;74(6):641–648. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2017.0449Keshishi D, Makunts T, Abagyan R.Common osteoporosis drug associated with increased rates of depression and anxiety.Sci Rep.2021;11(23956). doi:10.1038/s41598-021-03214-xSarris J, O’Neil A, Coulson CE, et al.Lifestyle medicine for depression.BMC Psychiatry.2014;14(107). doi:10.1186/1471-244X-14-107Velten J, Bieda A, Scholten S et al.Lifestyle choices and mental health: a longitudinal survey with German and Chinese students.BMC Public Health. 2018:18(632). doi:10.1186/s12889-018-5526-2Additional ReadingHong-Jhe C, Chin-Yuan K, Ming-Shium, T et al.The incidence and risk of osteoporosis in patients with anxiety disorder: A Population-based retrospective cohort study.Medicine. 2016:95(38):e4912. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000004912Kelly RR., McDonald LT, Jensen NR, Sidles S J, LaRue A C.Impacts of psychological stress on osteoporosis: Clinical implications and treatment interactions.Frontiers in Psychiatry. 2018;10(200). doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00200Ng JS, Chin KY.Potential mechanisms linking psychological stress to bone health.Int J Med Sci.2021;18(3):604-614. doi:10.7150/ijms.50680
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics.Anxiety and depression: household pulse survey.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Osteoporosis workgroup.Ng JS, Chin KY.Potential mechanisms linking psychological stress to bone health.Int J Med Sci.2021;18(3):604-614. doi:10.7150/ijms.50680Kelly RR, McDonald LT, Jensen NR, et al.Impacts of psychological stress on osteoporosis: clinical implications and treatment interactions.Frontiers in Psychiatry. 2018;10(200). doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00200MedlinePlus.Stress.National Institute of Mental Health.Panic disorder: when fear overwhelms.Hong-Jhe C, Chin-Yuan K, Ming-Shium, T et al.The incidence and risk of osteoporosis in patients with anxiety disorder: a population-based retrospective cohort study.Medicine. 2016:95(38):e4912. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000004912Bandelow B, Michaelis S, Wedekind D.Treatment of anxiety disorders.Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience. 2017:19(2):93-107. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2017.19.2/bbandelowAmerican Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5-TR).National Institute of Mental Health.Anxiety disorders.Wilmer MT, Anderson K, Reynolds M.Correlates of quality of life in anxiety disorders: review of recent research.Curr Psychiatry Rep.2021;23(77). doi:10.1007/s11920-021-01290-4Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Impact of the DSM-IV to DSM-5 changes on the national survey on drug use and health. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 2016: Table 3.15, DSM-IV to DSM-5 generalized anxiety disorder comparison.MedlinePlus.Bone density scan.American Psychiatric Association.GAD-7 patient questionnaire for anxiety.Mental Health America.Anxiety test.Sözen T, Özışık L, Başaran NÇ.An overview and management of osteoporosis.Eur J Rheumatol. 2017;4(1):46–56. doi:10.5152/eurjrheum.2016.048Medline Plus.Raloxifene.Bolton JM, Morin SN, Majumdar SR, et al.Association of mental disorders and related medication use with risk for major osteoporotic fractures.JAMA Psychiatry.2017;74(6):641–648. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2017.0449Keshishi D, Makunts T, Abagyan R.Common osteoporosis drug associated with increased rates of depression and anxiety.Sci Rep.2021;11(23956). doi:10.1038/s41598-021-03214-xSarris J, O’Neil A, Coulson CE, et al.Lifestyle medicine for depression.BMC Psychiatry.2014;14(107). doi:10.1186/1471-244X-14-107Velten J, Bieda A, Scholten S et al.Lifestyle choices and mental health: a longitudinal survey with German and Chinese students.BMC Public Health. 2018:18(632). doi:10.1186/s12889-018-5526-2
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics.Anxiety and depression: household pulse survey.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Osteoporosis workgroup.
Ng JS, Chin KY.Potential mechanisms linking psychological stress to bone health.Int J Med Sci.2021;18(3):604-614. doi:10.7150/ijms.50680
Kelly RR, McDonald LT, Jensen NR, et al.Impacts of psychological stress on osteoporosis: clinical implications and treatment interactions.Frontiers in Psychiatry. 2018;10(200). doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00200
MedlinePlus.Stress.
National Institute of Mental Health.Panic disorder: when fear overwhelms.
Hong-Jhe C, Chin-Yuan K, Ming-Shium, T et al.The incidence and risk of osteoporosis in patients with anxiety disorder: a population-based retrospective cohort study.Medicine. 2016:95(38):e4912. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000004912
Bandelow B, Michaelis S, Wedekind D.Treatment of anxiety disorders.Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience. 2017:19(2):93-107. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2017.19.2/bbandelow
American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5-TR).
National Institute of Mental Health.Anxiety disorders.
Wilmer MT, Anderson K, Reynolds M.Correlates of quality of life in anxiety disorders: review of recent research.Curr Psychiatry Rep.2021;23(77). doi:10.1007/s11920-021-01290-4
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Impact of the DSM-IV to DSM-5 changes on the national survey on drug use and health. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 2016: Table 3.15, DSM-IV to DSM-5 generalized anxiety disorder comparison.
MedlinePlus.Bone density scan.
American Psychiatric Association.GAD-7 patient questionnaire for anxiety.
Mental Health America.Anxiety test.
Sözen T, Özışık L, Başaran NÇ.An overview and management of osteoporosis.Eur J Rheumatol. 2017;4(1):46–56. doi:10.5152/eurjrheum.2016.048
Medline Plus.Raloxifene.
Bolton JM, Morin SN, Majumdar SR, et al.Association of mental disorders and related medication use with risk for major osteoporotic fractures.JAMA Psychiatry.2017;74(6):641–648. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2017.0449
Keshishi D, Makunts T, Abagyan R.Common osteoporosis drug associated with increased rates of depression and anxiety.Sci Rep.2021;11(23956). doi:10.1038/s41598-021-03214-x
Sarris J, O’Neil A, Coulson CE, et al.Lifestyle medicine for depression.BMC Psychiatry.2014;14(107). doi:10.1186/1471-244X-14-107
Velten J, Bieda A, Scholten S et al.Lifestyle choices and mental health: a longitudinal survey with German and Chinese students.BMC Public Health. 2018:18(632). doi:10.1186/s12889-018-5526-2
Hong-Jhe C, Chin-Yuan K, Ming-Shium, T et al.The incidence and risk of osteoporosis in patients with anxiety disorder: A Population-based retrospective cohort study.Medicine. 2016:95(38):e4912. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000004912Kelly RR., McDonald LT, Jensen NR, Sidles S J, LaRue A C.Impacts of psychological stress on osteoporosis: Clinical implications and treatment interactions.Frontiers in Psychiatry. 2018;10(200). doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00200Ng JS, Chin KY.Potential mechanisms linking psychological stress to bone health.Int J Med Sci.2021;18(3):604-614. doi:10.7150/ijms.50680
Hong-Jhe C, Chin-Yuan K, Ming-Shium, T et al.The incidence and risk of osteoporosis in patients with anxiety disorder: A Population-based retrospective cohort study.Medicine. 2016:95(38):e4912. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000004912
Kelly RR., McDonald LT, Jensen NR, Sidles S J, LaRue A C.Impacts of psychological stress on osteoporosis: Clinical implications and treatment interactions.Frontiers in Psychiatry. 2018;10(200). doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00200
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
