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Anxiety screenings

Anxiety screenings

You should be completely honest with your doctor. Many things can contribute to or be affected by anxiety, including:

  • certain illnesses
  • medications
  • alcohol consumption
  • coffee consumption
  • hormones

Symptoms

Other medical conditions can cause symptoms that resemble anxiety. Many anxiety symptoms are physical, including:

  • racing heart
  • shortness of breath
  • shaking
  • sweating
  • chills
  • hot flashes
  • chest pain
  • twitching
  • dry mouth
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • frequent urination

What you can do

  • Minimize stress.
  • Spend time with family and friends that make you feel good about yourself.
  • Stay involved in your favorite activities.
  • Avoid alcohol.
  • Get plenty of exercise.

Preventive service at no cost

Adult women

The Women’s Preventive Services Initiative recommends screening for anxiety in adult women.

Children and adolescents aged 8 to 18 years

The USPSTF recommends screening for anxiety in children and adolescents aged 8 to 18 years.

Pregnant and postpartum persons

The Women’s Preventive Services Initiative recommends screening for anxiety in those who are pregnant or postpartum.

Why screening is important

There is a substantial impact of anxiety on health, function, and quality of life.

What the screening is

There are several questionnaires that a doctor may use to assess if you have anxiety. Optimal screening intervals are unknown so your doctor will determine screening frequency. Given the high prevalence of anxiety disorders, lack of recognition in clinical practice, and multiple problems associated with untreated anxiety, clinicians should consider screening women who have not been recently screened.

If you screen positive for anxiety, your doctor will conduct additional assessments to establish the diagnosis and to determine appropriate treatment and follow-up.

Treatment

Anxiety can be managed in the primary care or mental health counseling setting or collaboratively in both settings.

Treatment options for anxiety include medication, behavioral counseling, and collaborative care, some of which require coordination between your doctors.

Collaborative care is a multicomponent, health care system–level intervention that uses care managers to link primary care providers, patients, and mental health specialists.

Additional tips

  • Get regular exercise.
  • Find hobbies that engage or occupy your mind.
  • Participate in activities that you enjoy.
  • Keep a daily journal of thoughts and activities.
  • Create short-term or long-term schedules.
  • Socialize with friends.