U.S. health officials recommend anxiety and depression screenings

CTN News –  U.S. doctors should screen adults for anxiety regularly, according to U.S. health. It’s the first time the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force for anxiety screening in primary care for adults without symptoms.

Mental health is health, and professionals say some employers are finally starting to recognize that. There’s been a lot of stress related to juggling children, jobs, food insecurity, and the uncertainty left by the pandemic.

Though it’s been two and a half years since the start of the pandemic, in many ways, it’s still taking its anxiety toll.

People dying every day because of COVID

We still have people dying every day because of COVID, and so we can’t just kind of push it in a box and think that it’s going to be OK. We’ve had a lot happen to our anxiety.

We need to kind of recognize it, talk about it, said Sue Abderholden, NAMI Minnesota. Abderholden said most people experienced some type of anxiety or depression, for a couple of days, over the last two years.

The pandemic increased anxiety, the most common mental illness, by 25% across the world. It’s an average of 23 years between when someone’s actually experiencing the symptoms and actually accessing treatment, Abderholden.

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health complaints

The report released Tuesday is open for public comment until Oct. 17. The group usually affirms its draft guidance. Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health complaints, affecting about 40% of the U.S.

Women at some point in their lives and more than one in four men. The panel’s guidance often anxiety determines insurance decisions. The panel is also recommending adults be screened for depression.

Screening is different from diagnosis, and in the case of anxiety screening, it’s a simple seven-question quiz with questions like how often do you feel nervous?

Depression and anxiety are treatable just like high blood pressure

Depression and anxiety are treatable just like high blood pressure or other types of health issues. We want to know that there’s a problem there so that we can help,” she said.

The CDC has some tips for coping with stress, including waking up and going to bed at the same time every day, moving around more, sitting less, deep breathing, anxiety, and meditation.

If you need immediate help with anxiety, dial 911. You can also text or call the suicide lifeline at 988.

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress and can be beneficial in some situations. Anxiety can alert us to dangers and help us prepare and pay attention. Anxiety disorders differ from normal feelings of nervousness or anxiousness and involve excessive fear or anxiety.

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