Last week, a panel of influential medical experts recommended for the first time that doctors screen all adult patients under 65 for symptoms of anxiety. The new guidelines were issued by the US Preventive Services Task Force after a draft was released in September. Earlier, the experts had made similar recommendations for children ages 8 to 18.
Millions of Americans struggle with anxiety: About 1 in 5 adults in the United States has an anxiety disorder, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Having some anxiety isn’t necessarily a problem: Experts say an internal alarm system benefits us in various ways, helping to improve our performance or recognition of danger and encouraging us to be more conscientious. In addition, it’s common to feel more anxious when faced with stressful events like starting a new job, experiencing the death of a loved one or moving to a new city.
At times, however, anxiety can become more pervasive and overwhelming. How do you distinguish the protective anxiety from the more problematic anxiety? And what do you do if you’re 65 or older and have been feeling anxious? Dr Petros Levounis, the president of the American Psychiatric Association, answered these questions and more via email. These are edited excerpts.
Anxiety can cause people to try to avoid situations that trigger or worsen their symptoms. Some signs to look out for include a sense of dread or worry that won’t go away or trouble sleeping or eating. Other symptoms may include restlessness, a sense of fear or doom, increased heart rate, sweating, trembling and trouble concentrating.
If you feel as if the worry is too much and it starts affecting your work, your relationships or other parts of your life — or you feel depressed — it might be time to speak with a primary care provider or a mental health professional. The anxiety may get worse if you don’t ask for help. We all feel anxious from time to time. If you have a big test, family worries or concerns about paying your bills, you can start feeling nervous.
