Are Anxiety Screenings for Adults Under 65 Necessary?
1 in 4 men and 4 in 10 women will develop an anxiety disorder at some time in their life. From excessive worry to restlessness, difficulty concentrating, and sleep disturbances – these are just a few ways anxiety disorders can profoundly impact a person if they develop one.
Anxiety disorders are highly treatable, yet only 36.9% of those suffering receive treatment. Not to mention, these numbers significantly increased globally in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Because of this, the USPSTF (U.S. Preventive Services Task Force) has a draft recommendation urging all adults under the age of 65 who are not currently receiving treatment for anxiety or other mental health condition to be screened to ensure those who need treatment get it.
What are Anxiety Screenings, and How Often Do I Need Them?
An anxiety screening is a series of questions designed to help identify whether someone is struggling with an anxiety disorder.
The questions cover how often the person experiences anxiety symptoms, how severe they are, and whether they avoid certain activities or situations because of their anxiety.
While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to anxiety screenings, they can be a helpful way to get a better sense of whether someone is dealing with an anxiety disorder and, if so, what kind of treatment they might benefit from.
If a person under 65 has never been screened for anxiety, it's good practice to do it at least once.
From there, a doctor may recommend additional screening, particularly if a patient has undergone any recent life changes. This could be anything from an increase in alcohol use, a stressful life event such as pregnancy or job loss, or a diagnosis of another mental health condition, such as depression. Any of these factors are known to increase the likelihood of anxiety disorders.
I Think I Have Anxiety. What Should I Do?
If you think you have anxiety, there are online screening tools, including questionnaires and scales, you can always utilize first to help determine whether you have an anxiety disorder.
In either case, it is recommended that you receive an anxiety screening during your next appointment or physical with a primary care physician. This a great starting point, as a PCP can help pick up on possible anxiety symptoms that an online questionnaire may not.
That said, it's also vital to be as honest as possible about discussing symptoms with your doctor. Even symptoms that don't seem to connect to anxiety - especially the physical ones - can point to a disorder.
So if you think you have an anxiety disorder, you are encouraged to make an appointment with your doctor. If your doctor believes you may have an anxiety disorder, they can refer you to a mental health professional.
Or, if you already have a mental health provider, you can go directly to them to discuss diagnosis and develop a treatment plan.
How Screenings Help Catch Anxiety Disorders Early, and Why That Matters
Often, anxiety disorders are overlooked and misdiagnosed as merely stress or anxiety as a normal reaction to stressful events in one's life. But in reality, anxiety disorders are characterized by persistent, excessive fear or anxiety that affects a person's ability to function.
Not to mention, anxiety disorders can trigger physical symptoms, like trembling and sweating, as well as mood changes and behavioral changes. And because the symptoms vary so widely, underdetection and underdiagnosis are common.
Anxiety disorders usually develop gradually over time and often go undiagnosed or are misdiagnosed in childhood or adolescence. They can also be tough to diagnose because they share symptoms with other mental health conditions like depression.
Early diagnosis of anxiety disorders is important because it can lead to early intervention and treatment that can improve the long-term outlook for people with these conditions.
An Anxiety Screening Could Change Your Life
Anxiety screenings can help to identify people with anxiety who may not have realized they have a problem. Once people with anxiety are identified, they can be connected with resources and support.
Anxiety screenings are not currently the norm, but there is growing support for making them standard practice. Many organizations, including the American Psychiatric Association, now recommend routine anxiety screening for adults.
Making anxiety screenings more common could help to reduce the stigma surrounding anxiety and make it easier for people to get the help they need. Besides, people are more likely to endorse anxiety symptoms when screened by a professional.
So if you or someone you know is struggling with anxiety, don't hesitate to talk to your doctor or mental health professional about getting screened for anxiety. Anxiety is highly treatable, and help is always available!
Remember: this post is for informational purposes only and may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as legal, financial, or medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional advice of your own attorney, accountant, physician, or financial advisor. Always check with your own physician, attorney, financial advisor, accountant, or other business or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here.
