Experts Say US Adults Should Get Tested for Anxiety
2022-10-11
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1An influential health guidelines group in the United States says doctors should test adult patients for anxiety, as part of usual care.
2The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is an independent group of healthcare experts serving as volunteers.
3The group advises anxiety testing for everyone from age 18 to 65.
4The group began its review on anxiety before the COVID-19 pandemic.
5However, given the increase in mental health problems with the pandemic, the new guidance is "very timely," said Lori Pbert.
6As a member of the task force, Pbert is also a psychologist and researcher at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School.
7A story from the Associated Press on the task force's new guidelines states that anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health problems.
8The task force notes that about 40 percent of American women are affected by anxiety at some point in their lives.
9About one in 10 pregnant women and those who have just given birth experience anxiety.
10Also, anxiety disorder affects more than one in four men in the United States
11Worldwide, anxiety is also on the rise -- especially among women.
12Back in early March, the World Health Organization released a report on the situation of mental health disorders.
13That report states that in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, anxiety and depression increased by 25 percent around the world.
14Anxiety can show as panic attacks, nervousness, and heightened fear.
15Common testing tools include answering questions about symptoms during a primary care doctor visit, the task force said.
16One such question is "How often do fears and worries affect your usual activities?" The task force did not say how often patients should be tested.
17Pbert said it is also important to understand that more than testing is necessary to identify an anxiety disorder.
18The next step, she said, is a thorough examination by a mental health professional.
19Pbert also noted that finding good care can be difficult.
20Currently in the U.S. there are shortages in the mental health care industry.
21Megan Whaler is a 31-year-old from Hoboken, New Jersey.
22In 2013, she was identified as having anxiety disorder.
23Whaler says doctors should test mental health as commonly as physical health.
24"Health is health," said Whalen, "whether the problem is visible or not."
25She has gotten help from medicine and talk therapy.
26However, her symptoms worsened during the pandemic, and she temporarily moved back to her parent's home.
27"The pandemic made me afraid to leave home -- my anxiety telling me anywhere outside of my childhood house was unsafe," Whelan said.
28She says she is still struggling.
29The task force said there is not enough research on older adults to suggest anxiety testing in those older than 65.
30In April, the group issued similar guidance for children.
31General, or primary, care doctors in the U.S. already know of the increasing cases of anxiety.
32In 2020, a group connected with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists suggested that anxiety testing be part of usual care for patients starting at age 13.
33Melissa Lewis-Duarte is a 42-year-old wellness coach and mother of three in Scottsdale, Arizona.
34She says deep, steady breathing, practicing meditation, stating things for which she is thankful have all helped her anxiety.
35"Doctors say 'make sure you're sleeping' ... 'control your stress'," she said, noting that it can be difficult to put self-care first.
36"But," she added, "that (is) what (is) necessary."
37I'm Anna Matteo.
1An influential health guidelines group in the United States says doctors should test adult patients for anxiety, as part of usual care. 2The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is an independent group of healthcare experts serving as volunteers. 3The group advises anxiety testing for everyone from age 18 to 65. The group began its review on anxiety before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, given the increase in mental health problems with the pandemic, the new guidance is "very timely," said Lori Pbert. 4As a member of the task force, Pbert is also a psychologist and researcher at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School. A story from the Associated Press on the task force's new guidelines states that anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health problems. 5The task force notes that about 40 percent of American women are affected by anxiety at some point in their lives. About one in 10 pregnant women and those who have just given birth experience anxiety. Also, anxiety disorder affects more than one in four men in the United States 6Worldwide, anxiety is also on the rise -- especially among women. 7Back in early March, the World Health Organization released a report on the situation of mental health disorders. That report states that in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, anxiety and depression increased by 25 percent around the world. 8Anxiety can show as panic attacks, nervousness, and heightened fear. 9Common testing tools include answering questions about symptoms during a primary care doctor visit, the task force said. One such question is "How often do fears and worries affect your usual activities?" The task force did not say how often patients should be tested. 10Pbert said it is also important to understand that more than testing is necessary to identify an anxiety disorder. The next step, she said, is a thorough examination by a mental health professional. Pbert also noted that finding good care can be difficult. Currently in the U.S. there are shortages in the mental health care industry. 11Megan Whaler is a 31-year-old from Hoboken, New Jersey. In 2013, she was identified as having anxiety disorder. 12Whaler says doctors should test mental health as commonly as physical health. 13"Health is health," said Whalen, "whether the problem is visible or not." 14She has gotten help from medicine and talk therapy. However, her symptoms worsened during the pandemic, and she temporarily moved back to her parent's home. 15"The pandemic made me afraid to leave home -- my anxiety telling me anywhere outside of my childhood house was unsafe," Whelan said. She says she is still struggling. 16The task force said there is not enough research on older adults to suggest anxiety testing in those older than 65. 17In April, the group issued similar guidance for children. 18General, or primary, care doctors in the U.S. already know of the increasing cases of anxiety. In 2020, a group connected with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists suggested that anxiety testing be part of usual care for patients starting at age 13. 19Melissa Lewis-Duarte is a 42-year-old wellness coach and mother of three in Scottsdale, Arizona. She says deep, steady breathing, practicing meditation, stating things for which she is thankful have all helped her anxiety. 20"Doctors say 'make sure you're sleeping' ... 'control your stress'," she said, noting that it can be difficult to put self-care first. 21"But," she added, "that (is) what (is) necessary." 22I'm Anna Matteo. 23Lindsey Tanner reported this story for the Associated Press. Anna Matteo adapted it for VOA Learning English. 24______________________________________________________________________ 25Words in This Story 26anxiety - n. a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. 27task force - n. a temporary grouping under one leader for the purpose of accomplishing a definite objective 28panic attack - n. an episode of intense fear or apprehension that is of sudden onset and may occur for no apparent reason or as a reaction to an identifiable triggering stimulus (as a stressful event) 29symptom - n. a noticeable change in the body or its functions that indicates the presence of a disease or other disorder 30visible - adj. capable of being seen 31talk therapy - n. psychotherapy emphasizing conversation between therapist and patient 32meditation - n. the act or an instance of planning or thinking quietly 33______________________________________________________________________ 34We want to hear from you. 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