Bookmark and Share

News Releases by Subject and Date

Research
2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004
Your Health
2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004
Medical and Dental Education
2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004
Miscellany
2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004
All Subjects
2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004

News Release

April 28, 2006

Contact: Carolyn Pennington, 860-679-4864
e-mail: cpennington@uchc.edu

Are You Worrying Too Much?

National Anxiety Disorders Screening Day May 3rd

FARMINGTON, CONN. – Everyone worries some of the time but what if you worry most of the time? You may be suffering from an anxiety disorder, one of the most common mental illnesses, affecting over 19 million Americans. National Anxiety Disorders Screening Day on Wednesday, May 3, is a free and anonymous screening for those who may be having symptoms of anxiety and/or depression and would like to consult a mental health professional.

“Many people don’t realize there are several kinds of anxiety disorders,” says Nicholas DeMartinis, M.D., assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Connecticut Health Center. “We hope that events such as National Anxiety Disorders Screening Day will help increase the number of people who seek help and get treatment for their illnesses.”

Anxiety disorders and depression are treatable conditions. The sooner you find treatment, the more quickly you will be able to ease your symptoms. If you are having some of the following symptoms, you might consider making an appointment (required) for a free screening:

  • You worry constantly and have difficulty controlling it, or you are frequently irritable.
  • You frequently have difficulty sleeping.
  • You have physical symptoms, such as fast heart rate, headaches, shakiness, breathing difficulties or chronic muscle tension.
  • You have difficulty concentrating or are very forgetful.
  • You have obsessive thoughts or perform repetitive rituals.
  • You often feel sad or hopeless and have lost interest in activities you once enjoyed.
  • You feel extremely anxious in many social situations, which interferes with personal and professional relationships.

“Untreated anxiety disorders can lead to substance abuse, depression and suicide,” says Dr. DeMartinis. “That’s the sad news; the good news is these illnesses can effectively be treated. This screening day, part of a nationwide effort, is the first step in finding help.”

The screenings will take place from 8 to 9 a.m., noon to 2 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. at the Department of Psychiatry in Farmington at 10 Talcott Notch Road, East Lobby, 3rd Floor. Participants will be able to view a video on anxiety and depressive disorders, complete an anonymous screening questionnaire, obtain information on mental disorders and have a confidential meeting with a health care professional. To make an appointment for a free anxiety screening, call 800-535-6232 or 860-679-7692.

UConn Health includes the schools of medicine and dental medicine, the UConn Medical Group, University Dentists, and John Dempsey Hospital. Home to Bioscience Connecticut, UConn Health pursues a mission of providing outstanding health care education in an environment of exemplary patient care, research and public service. More information about UConn Health is available at www.uchc.edu.

Note: News professionals are invited to visit the UConn Health Today news page (http://today.uchc.edu) for regularly updated news and feature stories, photos and media stories. News releases are archived at http://today.uchc.edu/newsreleases/2014. UConn Health news and information is also available on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.