Anxiety Is Real

May is Mental Health Awareness month, a good time to consider the fact that an estimated 48 million Americans are faced with an anxiety disorder,* 40.9% of Utah adults report feeling symptoms of anxiety or depression,** and 26.4% of Utahns are unable to access necessary counseling or therapy.

Nervousness from time to time is a common experience and recorded as far back as the seventeenth century. However, unlike occasional nervous feelings, an anxiety disorder is distinguished by its intensity and frequency. Anxiety is an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes, like increased blood pressure. Past trauma can trigger anxiety. Anxiety is different from fear: seeing a rattlesnake in the wild may cause fear, while worrying about seeing one in the wild is driven by anxiety.

Generalized anxiety disorder was officially recognized by the American Psychiatric Association forty-three years ago as a disorder of uncontrollable anxiety or worry that is excessive or unrealistic and lasts one month or longer. Prior to 1980, those suffering in this way might have received a diagnosis of “nerves.” Medical professionals had no specialized training and little understanding, so few people received effective treatment.

Today, anxiety disorders like obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorders, phobias, or post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are considered a disability. They cause distress and impairment that can seriously affect both quality of life and functioning. Most people with anxiety disorders respond well to treatment, which has advanced significantly in recent years. Unfortunately, only a small portion of those affected receive care.

The following are a few simple tips for dealing with anxiety symptoms:

• Limit activities or time with people who induce anxiety while increasing those things that bring relaxation.

• Take small steps to overcome triggering situations. Avoidance is not always possible.

• Meditation and controlled deep breathing exercises are useful calming tools.

• Balance use of technology or consumption of tabloid news with more relaxing activities that bring peace and happiness.

• Daily routines that include outdoor activities and enough sleep can help create balance and worry free stability.

• Avoiding negative thinking is a critical tool in reducing worry and anxiety.

There are organizations in southern Utah, like Family Healthcare, that offer affordable, highly effective treatment for anxiety. If you or someone you care about is dealing with this challenging yet treatable disorder, take steps to reach out to your health care provider as soon as possible for help.

*National Alliance on Mental Illness 2020

**National Alliance on Mental Illness 2021

About the Author

Lori Wright is the CEO of Family Healthcare. With more than twenty-five years of experience in community health, she is passionate about developing equity, where everyone is able to access high quality integrated primary health care. Family Healthcare’s mission is Making Lives Better, and as CEO, Lori’s efforts are focused on improving the overall health of patients and the communities that Family Healthcare serves.

Lori serves on a variety of committees across the state and throughout Washington and Iron Counties, including the St. George Area Chamber Board of Governors, Dixie Tech Pharmacy Tech Advisory Committee, and Association of Community Health Center’s Board. She also serves as co-chair of the AUCH Health Center Control Network. She is a Certified Medical Practice Executive by the American College of Medical Practice Executives and has received a BS in Community/Public Health and a Master of Public Administration from the Marriott School of Management.

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