Free anxiety screenings offered
More than 19 million adults suffer from anxiety disorders in the United States, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
To help build awareness and to educate the public about anxiety disorders, the NDSU Counseling Center in Ceres 212 will offer free, confidential anxiety screenings from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 6 – 10, during Anxiety Screening Week. Students are encouraged to make appointments, but it is not required.
Those participating in the screening will fill out a screening form, view an information video and sit down with a counselor to review the survey results. Screenings last between a half hour and one hour. Depending on the results of the survey, students may be referred to a counselor for further help. For students not wanting to go to the Center for screening, the Counseling Center Web site is available for screenings as well. Students are not required to see a counselor following the screening.
“ It will always be that person’s choice,” Michelle Richter, a counselor at the NDSU Counseling Center, said.
The Counseling Center brings in a psychiatrist once a month to meet with students about the possibility of using medication to treat severe anxiety.
“ We’re (holding screenings) not to make a diagnosis, but to have a general assessment to see if there are any indications that a particular anxiety disorder would warrant more information,” Richter said.
An anxiety disorder is not just a feeling that appears due to a test or a first date; it is more of a paralyzing anxiety that hinders a person’s ability to function, Richter said.
Anxiety isn’t solely brought on by stress or outside factors; rather, it is sometimes brought on by biological factors as well.
“ Some people are just more susceptible to having a higher level of anxiety; it could be genetic,” Richter said.
The purpose of Anxiety Screening Week is to help build awareness of anxiety disorders, as well as the symptoms, treatments and causes.
For more information on Anxiety Screening Week or the services offered at the NDSU Counseling Center, students are encouraged to call 231-7671 or to visit the Center’s Web site at www.ndsu.edu/counseling.