The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has issued a new recommendation stating that adults aged 19 to 64 in the United States should undergo screening for anxiety disorders.

This marks the first final recommendation from the task force regarding anxiety disorder screening in adults, including pregnant and postpartum individuals.

However, the USPSTF found insufficient evidence to support screening for anxiety in older adults.

The recommendation also aligns with the task force’s previous guidance from 2016, which advised screening all adults for major depressive disorder, including pregnant or postpartum individuals and older adults.

The USPSTF is an independent group of medical experts whose recommendations influence doctors’ decisions and insurance plans.

In recent years, the prevalence of clinical depression has been steadily increasing in the United States, but it experienced a significant surge during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately one in six adults will experience depression.

Although depression and anxiety are distinct conditions, they often coexist.
Consequently, screening recommendations can help clinicians identify patients who may require treatment for both conditions or either one.

The USPSTF researchers emphasized the need for more robust screening, as most individuals with anxiety disorders do not receive treatment within the first year of symptoms, or sometimes ever.

Only 11% of US adults with an anxiety disorder sought treatment within the first year of onset, according to research by the USPSTF.

The median time to treatment initiation was 23 years.

In a study involving 965 primary care patients, only 41% of those with an anxiety disorder received treatment.

Medical professionals can perform screening for anxiety disorders using questionnaires and scales that evaluate symptoms like feeling on edge, uncontrollable worrying, and difficulty relaxing.

Similarly, screening for depression includes questions about feeling hopeless, having trouble concentrating, losing interest in daily activities, or having thoughts of self-harm.

Major depressive disorder is diagnosed when an individual experiences at least two weeks of persistent sadness or a lack of interest in everyday activities.

If there’s a positive screening result, it should be confirmed through a diagnostic assessment to determine symptom severity and identify any additional psychological concerns.

Subsequently, health experts said appropriate care should be provided to patients.

The USPSTF said it acknowledges that potential harms of screening include false positives, which may lead to unnecessary appointments or treatment.

However, for most adults, screening and subsequent care can alleviate symptoms associated with anxiety disorders and depression.

Effective treatments for anxiety disorders encompass psychotherapy (talk therapy) with a therapist, medications like antidepressants or beta blockers, and relaxation or stress management therapies.

Treatment options for depression include antidepressant medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of both.

The USPSTF’s recommendation emphasizes that if left untreated, major depressive disorder can hinder daily functioning and increase the risk of cardiovascular events, exacerbate comorbid conditions, or lead to higher mortality rates.

Only about half of individuals with major depression are correctly identified.
Research also indicates that anxiety disorders and depression may be associated with suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, and other self-destructive behaviors.

However, the new USPSTF recommendations state that there is currently insufficient evidence to recommend screening specifically for suicide risk in adults who are not displaying signs or symptoms.

This stance aligns with the task force’s previous recommendation from 2014, and the USPSTF has called for further research to understand suicide risks among asymptomatic individuals better.

The post New recommendation calls for anxiety disorder screening in adults appeared first on New York Amsterdam News.

* This article was originally published here

Every wish you could just take something home from a museum? One of New York’s quirkiest collections is about to make that happen. 

City Reliquary, the Williamsburg museum full of New York City artifacts, memorabilia and more, is hosting a yard sale on Saturday, June 24, starting at noon (weather permitting). 

Held in the museum’s backyard, local artists and collectors will be selling an eclectic variety of one-of-a-kind vintage ephemera, unusual collectibles, and unique art and crafts, similar to what you’d find in City Reliquary’s collection. Think of the afternoon as a show-and-tell, where folks can tell the stories about their unique items, and you can buy them. 

Oddities, antiques, art and more will include uranium glass and antique bottles from Emily Kawasaki Vintage; daguerreotypes, tintypes, and other antique photographs from Jeremy Rowe Bizarre; products from markets around the world from George Rush; Vintage film and cartoon-related ephemera from Tommy Stathes (Cartoons on Film); Vintage movie stills and promotional ephemera; and quirky vegetable commercial ceramics, from artist Steve Gerberich Vintage. 

More New York-specific items include NYC maps and pamphlets from NYC tour guide Matt Levy; vintage clothing, purses, hats, and household items from architect and photographer JiJi Win; plus handmade jewelry and headbands from Shannon Richardson.

To curate the vibes, DJ Yestergay, resident DJ at Julius’ bar in the West Village, will spin Pride tunes (it is Pride weekend, after all), while also selling a wide selection of mid-century lamps, clocks, records, and clothing. Extremely Brooklyn. 

Another double-duty guest will be Brooklyn’s Yardsale Cafe, venting cold drinks and pastries, plus items from their antique store: 1964 New York World’s Fair memorabilia, vintage ticket stubs to NYC sites, collectible spoons and spoon jewelry, and more.

The sale is free to enter with museum admission ($7, $5 for students, educators and seniors), though an online RSVP is requested. 

Come with cash, as many vendors won’t accept credit cards or payment apps. 

* This article was originally published here

Though we’ve already been crossing things off our NYC summer bucket list, the first day of summer is officially tomorrow, and Milk Bar is celebrating in a super sweet way!

To welcome the first day of summer tomorrow, Wednesday, June 21st, Milk Bar bakeries across NYC will be giving away free mini pints of their signature Cereal Milk ice cream! I scream, you scream, right?!

The giveaway, unfortunately, won’t last forever, though.

The free ice cream pints will be given away at opening while supplies last–all you have to do is show up! And, judging by how good this spot is–they’re one of our fav spots to grab a cookie in NYC–you’re going to want to get there early so you don’t miss out!

Please keep in mind that while we all wish we could walk away with our arms full of ice cream, each person is limited to one 3.6 oz pint.

Milk Bar has multiple locations around NYC, all of which can be found here.

Please note: Milk Bar’s Nordstrom NYC location is not participating in the giveaway.

Free mini ice cream pints at Milk Bar

Multiple locations

Wednesday, June 21, while supplies last

The post Milk Bar Is Giving Away Free Mini Ice Cream Pints In NYC Tomorrow appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here